Linguistic Problems of Brain-Injured Servicemen

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Abstract
Linguistically handicapped brain-injured patients appear most often in the neurological wards of the various hospitals. The problem is usually called aphasia. Numerous cases are now receiving language re-education in the army general hospital program. In work at the Halloran General Hospital it was the custom to outline for each patient a variety of activities aside from the usual speech clinic program to facilitate language development, such as attending the news center daily, seeing all the movies, plays, entertainment programs, participating in conversations, etc. In such cases the first and most essential technique is to improve the auditory verbal comprehension. Personality traits strongly influence the patient''s attitude toward speech re-education. Many cases lack the power to initiate an activity themselves. Most of the activities of the central nervous system are slowed. Any function, including linguistic activity, is likely to lack order, rhythm, and coordination. Attention lags and comprehension becomes blurred when the discussion is complicated. Emotional outbursts and frequent expressions of profanity usually indicate that the situation has become too difficult. Psychotic manifestations are not common. The term "hysterical aphasia" is a misnomer. The symptoms of aphasia are too subtle and too complicated to be simulated by any one who has not had first hand experience with the affliction. The most intelligent and well-educated patients are often the worst subjects for re-education because they remember too well their former abilities. Most cases require a certain amt. of individual assistance but group activity also helps. Some cases are capable of spending 3-6 hrs. a day on re-education. A decision often has to be made whether to permit a shift of handedness or whether the preferred hand will recover. Language improvement is usually slow and the smallest gain must receive encouragement by all.

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