Right-Hemisphere Language Disorders

It is well recognized that pragmatic deficits can interfere with daily communication in individuals with right-hemisphere damage (RHD). Over and above the interest of these deficits as shedding light on the right hemisphere’s contribution to language, it is important to have a good understanding of their possible clinical signs, how they can be identified and what kinds of intervention strategies should be considered. In spite of the great advances in recent decades regarding pragmatic deficits following RHD, there are still challenges to be solved. This chapter will present a current view of the theoretical and clinical knowledge of RHD patients. A brief historical background is presented first. Then, the characteristics of pragmatic deficits that commonly arise in adults with RHD are described, emphasizing discourse and non-literal language abilities. The incidence of and differences in clinical profiles are summarized. A review of the intervention strategies that currently exist for these patients, with a critical vision of the challenges that this field still faces, is also provided. The chapter concludes with considerations regarding the ongoing debate about the relationship between right-hemisphere language disorders, pragmatics and aphasia.