I am a college senior studying communication disorders (Speech Pathology) and we recently discussed left sided neglect in my neurogenic communication disorders class. My prof. has extensive exerience in working with patients who have had CVA's, TBI's, progressive diseases, etc. When discussing the symptom of left-sided neglect he told us about a client who had this condition. As part of his therapy the speech language pathologist and occupational therapist thought of the idea to put up flashing christmas lights that played music (the music was activated by a motion detector) around the house and on the sides of the stairs. Apparently this patient had difficulty manuevering around his home, and would inch his way up the stairs only on the right side, because he was neglecting all the information from his left visual field. The flashing lights and music were enough stimulation for this man to recognize that there was something to his left side. I don't think he was able to see everything to his left, but he knew that if he saw the lights or heard them that there was something there. I know therapy is different for everyone and what works for one patient might not work for the next but I thought this was a neat idea to try with your mom if she has difficulty getting around.

- Candice