Question
What is right hemisphere disorder?
Answer
Right Hemisphere Disorder (RHD) refers to a condition characterized by dysfunction in the right hemisphere of the brain, particularly impacting various cognitive processes. One significant aspect influenced by RHD is pragmatic involvement, commonly observed in the frontal lobes, specifically the right frontal lobe. Extensive research consistently demonstrates that lesions in the right hemisphere contribute to pragmatic breakdown. Robertson and Gallagher's study sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with right hemisphere lesions, particularly in processing more complex language, emphasizing the importance of pragmatic language. This includes the prosodic part of language, figurative language, idiomatic expressions, and various discourse aspects. Furthermore, heightened right hemisphere activity has been documented during comprehensive discourse analysis, highlighting the essential role the right hemisphere plays in language processing, especially concerning pragmatic and prosodic elements.
This Ask the Expert is an excerpt from the course, Pragmatics and Social Cognition: Clinical Considerations for Adults, presented by Katy Magee, MHS, CCC-SLP, L-CBIS.
