This case study follows a woman diagnosed with Landau–Kleffner syndrome (LKS) at age four, and reassessed by her clinician 44 years later. Her seizures and EEG changes settled in childhood, but communication difficulties continued into adult life.
Her family made major changes to support her: relocating so she could attend a school for deaf children, learn sign language and develop oral communication. With ongoing family, educational and social support, she completed school, built a family of her own and worked full-time.
As an adult, LR was defrauded while trying to lease a car because the complex language involved was difficult for her to fully understand. The experience shows how a person can appear independent, work, drive and have a family, while still being more vulnerable in high-pressure situations involving contracts, money, unfamiliar people or abstract language. Her father supported her to pursue legal action.
Positive outcomes
Her family was able to relocate so LR could attend a school for deaf children.
There, she learned sign language and developed basic oral communication.
LR had sustained family, educational and social support.
She completed high school, married, raised children and worked full-time as a courier.
LR’s seizures and EEG abnormalities resolved by age 12.
Ongoing issues into adulthood
Chronic aphasia and mild-to-moderate language difficulties remained. Aphasia affects a person’s ability to communicate through speech, writing, and understanding language.
LR sometimes needed people to speak slowly, repeat themselves or clarify what they meant.
Complex, abstract or unfamiliar spoken and written language was especially difficult.
Her speech was fluent and informative, but not always easily to understand.
Her hidden communication difficulties could create social, financial and practical vulnerability, including a risk of being misunderstood or taken advantage of.
Read LR’s case study: Acquired epileptiform aphasia: 44 years after diagnosis