Pragmatic Language Disorder

Home Pragmatic Language Disorder

Pragmatic Language Disorder

Information taken from Autism Speaks and Understood   

WHAT IS SOCIAL (PRAGMATIC) COMMUNICATION DISORDER?

Social communication disorder (SCD) is characterized by difficulty with social language, social interaction, social understanding, and pragmatics.  Pragmatics includes both the verbal and nonverbal rules for using language in social interactions.    

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCD:

  • difficulty maintaining conversation
  • difficulty understanding social cues
  • difficulty responding to others
  • difficulty using gestures
  • difficulty taking conversational turns
  • difficulty initiating conversation
  • difficulty staying on topic
  • difficulty talking about emotions
  • difficulty making and keeping friends
  • difficulty changing language for different listeners (i.e., talking to a friend vs. talking to a teacher)
  • difficulty understanding things that are implied
  • Difficulty understanding facial expressions

WHAT CAUSES SCD?

The exact cause of SCD is unknown; however, some researchers believe that it is a neurodevelopmental (brain) disorder.  Others believe that it may be linked to poor executive functioning skills.  The following conditions have been linked with SCD: Autism, reading issues, ADHD, language impairment, learning disabilities, and speech sound disorder.    

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD AT HOME?

  • Take turns during play activities
  • Read books and then talk about what happened
  • Talk about feelings (there are many great books that talk about emotions)
  • Plan play dates with other children

OUR APPROACH AT KEY THERAPIES:

We will develop an individualized treatment plan for each child based off of his / her current needs.  We will work on improving pragmatic language skills by practicing turn-taking, initiating conversation, and understanding social cues.  Social Thinking may be utilized to help teach social language skills.    

 

To Top