Inter- and Intramodality Matching Deficits in a Dysphasic Youth

Abstract

THE SUBJECT of this report suffered a stroke at the age of 14, and the available evidence suggests extensive damage to the left (dominant) cerebral hemisphere. During the two years since onset of his illness we have carried out a series of behavioral studies relevant to the general problem of interhemispheric relations, with particular reference to language function. Clinical tests indicated that the patient was unable to write single letters to dictation, or even to select a dictated letter from several available visual choices. He was, however, able to deal fairly effectively with simple words on these tasks. It was this apparent discrepancy which prompted us to seek through special testing techniques a more precise delineation of his behavioral deficits. An additional, although not secondary, purpose of this report is to describe an investigative methodology. As is so often the case, our patient's almost complete lack of oral speech