Communication disorders following cerebral trauma vary as a function of type and extent of lesion. Focal damage to the dominant hemisphere results in specific speech and language deficits similar to those seen from vascular aphasia syndromes. Following closed head injury, primary features of diffuse damage are early recovery of language form but residual impainnent in the ability to use language for effective social interaction. Specific characteristics of speech and language following focal and diffuse cerebral damage are presented. Also discussed are assessment and treatment strategies using both cognitive and language frameworks.
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