Sign language aphasia due to left occipital lesion in a deaf signer.

Localization of sign language production and comprehension in deaf people has been described as similar to that of spoken language aphasia. However, sign language employs a visuospatial modality through visual information. We present the first report of a deaf signer who showed substantial sign language aphasia with severe impairment in word production due to a left occipital lesion. This case may indicate the possibility of other localizations of plasticity. GLOSSARY: ASL = American Sign Language; JSL = Japanese Sign Language; WAB = Western Aphasia Battery.