Legal competency of aphasic patients: role of speech-language pathologists

Aphasia is a disorder that is not generally known to the nonmedical profession. It is therefore difficult for attorneys unfamiliar with aphasic deficits to comprehend the full extent of the problem. Too often the speech-language pathologist's knowledge of the patient's communication abilities is not utilized by the legal community. This clinical note stresses the need for the speech-language pathologist's input in legal proceedings concerning aphasic patients.