[Cognitive and linguistic indexes in children with early hemispheric lesion].

Prospective studies of development following early focal brain injury have identified deficits across a range of cognitive, linguistic and affective domains. In most cases these deficits are quite subtle and often not detected on standardized behavioral tests. Nonetheless, more detailed tests of neuropsychological functioning have documented subtle, persistent profiles of impairment. These contrasting findings have been cited in defense of two conflicting beliefs: plasticity and hemispheric equipotentiality theories on one side and early hemispheric specialization on the other. This paper shows some experimental data concerning studies from children with an early focal brain lesion. Our aim is to describe the effects determined by the lesion on the cognitive development and possible diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies.