Alternative communication forms

Question 1

What network does sign language use?

Answer 1

The classical language networks
- Broca’s area are activated when producing signs
- Wernicke’s area is activated during perception of sign language

Question 2

90 % of deaf children are born to hearing parents - how does this affect the deaf child?

Answer 2

–> delayed exposure to sign language –> delayed acquisition and lasting deficits in language ability
- the lateralization is also affected by early experience (the angular gyrus of the right hemisphere are activated during comprehension in early exposed signers)

Question 3

Can aphasia affect signers?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

How does Broca’s aphasia affect signers?

Answer 4

• understands ASL fine
• great difficulty in producing ASL

Question 5

How does Wernicke’s aphasia affect signers?

Answer 5

• difficulty comprehending single signs
• difficulty comprehending simple two-step commands

Question 6

How is the time course development of early exposure sign language?

Answer 6

• Similar to spoken language
• early exposure increases the right hemisphere involvement

Question 7

Are there critical periods for learning ASL?

Answer 7

Yes, similar to spoken language

Question 8

How is ASL different from simple gesturing?

Answer 8

It activates different areas in the brain

Question 9

What brain regions are activated during Braille reading?

Answer 9

Visual areas of both hemispheres irregardless of which finger is used

Question 9

What are the critical period for cross-modal plasticity (Braille reading)?

Answer 9

From birth to app. 16 years