Communication skills in an aphasic deaf adult

A case study is presented of a 64-year-old, right-handed, congenitally deaf man who suffered a single, unilateral, left CVA resulting in a right hemiplegia and moderate aphasia. The relationship between his verbal (reading and writing), manual, and pantomimic performances is examined in two ways. First, a comparison of the three modes of communication shows whether or not these systems can be dissociated by pathology. Second, the extent to which one mode recovers more fully than the others indicates whether the three modes function independently. Results of testing conducted at six weeks and at 18 months postonset revealed that this individual's manual, verbal, and pantomimic communication skills were all similarly impaired as a result of his CVA. Furthermore, at 18 months no single mode had recovered more rapidly or to a greater extent than any other. These results support the notion that aphasia in the deaf and hearing population is similar, and is consistent with the view that aphasia is the result of a central symbolic/cognitive process which manifests itself in parallel dysfunctions of verbal, manual, and pantomimic communication.