______ is an impairment of language functioning caused by damage to the brain.

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (3).
Aphasia is a language disorder resulting from damage to the language-processing areas of the brain, typically in the left hemisphere.

Information Booster
1. Types and Features of Aphasia
1.1. Broca’s Aphasia (Expressive/Non-Fluent): Difficulty in speech production, slow and effortful speech, relatively intact comprehension.
1.2. Wernicke’s Aphasia (Receptive/Fluent): Fluent but meaningless speech, poor comprehension, often unaware of speech errors.
1.3. Global Aphasia: Severe form affecting both production and comprehension; results from extensive brain damage.
1.4. Anomic Aphasia: Difficulty retrieving words, especially names of objects, while other language abilities are mostly intact.
1.5. Common Causes: Stroke, head injury, brain tumor, infections, or degenerative brain conditions.
1.6. Treatment Approach: Speech-language therapy, augmentative communication methods, and cognitive-linguistic stimulation.

Additional Information
(1) Agraphia:
Refers to impairment in writing ability, often due to brain damage in language areas or motor coordination deficits.
Unlike aphasia, it specifically affects the ability to write, not the entire language system.
(2) Amnesia:
Refers to memory loss, either partial or complete. It affects the ability to encode, store, or retrieve memories, not language processing.
Common causes include head injury, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychological trauma.
(4) Autism:
A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Language delays may occur, but autism is not primarily a language disorder caused by brain damage, unlike aphasia.