Right vs. Left Hemisphere Lesions (Impairments)

Right Hemisphere Lesions

Enumerate the 7 general deficits

1. Left-side hemiplegia / paresis

2. Left-side sensory loss

3. Visual-perceptual impairments

4. Behavioral deficits

5. Intellectual deficits

6. Emotional deficits

7. Task performance deficits

Right Hemisphere Lesions

5 visual-perceptual deficits

1. Left side unilateral neglect

2. Agnosias

3. Visuospatial disorders

4. Distorted body image & scheme

5. Difficulty processing visual cues

Right Hemisphere Lesions

5 behavioral deficits

1. Quick, impulsive

2. Poor judgment, unrealistic

3. Inability to self correct

4. Poor insight, awareness of impairments, denial of disability

5. Increased safety risk

Right Hemisphere Lesions

3 intellectual deficits

• Difficulty in abstract reasoning, problem solving, grasping idea of task

• Rigidity of thought

• Memory impairments (spatial-perceptual)

Right Hemisphere Lesions

2 emotional deficits

1 task performance deficit

Emotional deficits:

• Difficulty to perceive emotions

• Difficulty with expression of negative emotions

Task performance:

• Fluctuations

Left Hemisphere Lesions

Enumerate the 7 general deficits

1. Left-side hemiplegia / paresis

2. Left-side sensory loss

3. Speech & language impairments

4. Behavioral deficits

5. Intellectual deficits

6. Emotional deficits

7. Task performance deficits

Left Hemisphere Lesions

2 speech & language deficits

1. Broca’s / wernicke’s / Global aphasia

2. Difficulty processing verbal cues & commands

Left Hemisphere Lesions

3 behavioral deficits

• Slow, cautious

• Disorganized

• Very aware of impairments and disability

Left Hemisphere Lesions

5 intellectual deficits

• Disorganized problem solving

• Difficulty initiating tasks, processing delays

• Highly distractible

• Memory impairments (language)

• Perseveration

Right Hemisphere Lesions

1 emotional deficit

1 task performance deficit

• Difficulty with expressive positive emotions

• Apraxia (ideational / ideomotor)