Which statement best explains why therapy for language loss due to brain injury would differ from therapy for language loss due to a progressive disorder?

• A. There is a much higher chance of spontaneous recovery for the client with a progressive disorder.
• B. The client with brain injury typically has problems with fatigue and mental confusion, whereas the client with a progressive disorder does not.
• C. There is a much higher chance of spontaneous recovery for the client with brain injury.
• D. The client with a progressive disorder typically has problems with attention and memory, whereas the client with brain injury typically does not.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how likely recovery is after the condition and how that shapes therapy goals. After a brain injury, many individuals experience spontaneous improvement as the brain heals, swelling goes down, and neural networks rewire through neuroplasticity. This means early therapy can be more restorative — aiming to regain lost language skills and capitalize on potential quick gains, with frequent reassessment as abilities change.

In contrast, a progressive disorder involves ongoing deterioration with little to no spontaneous recovery. Language difficulties tend to worsen over time, so therapy shifts toward compensation and maintenance: teaching strategies, using cues, environmental adaptations, and exercises that help the person communicate more effectively despite gradual decline. Although attention and memory problems can appear in both situations, that overlap isn’t what distinguishes the two in terms of how therapy should be planned. Therefore, the statement about a higher chance of spontaneous recovery in brain injury best explains why therapy would differ.