Developmental unilateral visual neglect: A single case study

Abstract

The case is presented of a 10-year-old boy of well above average verbal ability and with no detectable structural brain damage who nevertheless shows a pattern of unilateral visual neglect similar to that seen in adults with acquired lesions to the right hemisphere. The history described indicates no sudden onset of neglect and is consistent with such biases in attention being present from a very early age, quite possibly from birth. As predicted from studies of adults with unilateral visual neglect, despite generally strong cognitive skills, a significant inefficiency in sustained attention is reported.