Patient Selection in Studies of Aphasia Acquired in Childhood

Abstract

The history of the study of acquired aphasia of childhood is filled with examples of erroneous conclusions that could be traced to an imperfect understanding of the underlying pathological process that caused the aphasia. Ideally, one wishes to be certain about both the spatial and temporal extent of the pathological process. Strokes, with their restriction to one major vessel territory, sudden onset, and lack of progression best fit these criteria. Other lesions can also be utilized effectively, but the greatest single confounding clinical variable when one wishes to study effects of discrete lesions is severe or prolonged generalized seizures.