Communicative intentions and language: Evidence from right-hemisphere damage and autism

In this review article, it is argued that the wide range of communicative d eficits that have been noted in both individuals with damage to the right c erebral hemisphere (RHD) and high-functioning individuals with autism may s tem from difficulties appreciating the importance of their interlocutor's c ommunicative intentions (CIs). It is also argued that the abnormal semantic development noted in infants with RHD and autism may be related to difficu lties in appreciating CIs as well. Finally, it is suggested that the Cls hy pothesis may provide an avenue fur integrating a number of theoretical sugg estions that have been made regarding the right hemisphere's contributions to communicative competence. (C) 1999 Academic Press.