Social (pragmatic) communication disorder is a relatively new addition to the family of autism spectrum disorders and communication disorders. It was officially added to the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 2013, although clinicians have been observing the symptoms for many years. Also referred to as pragmatic language impairment, this disorder refers to having difficulty interpreting and using language in appropriate ways within social contexts.
Children with a social (pragmatic) communication disorder may have trouble following the rules of conversation, such as taking turns speaking. They may not understand nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They might also have trouble adjusting their communication to fit different audiences or contexts. Another possible indicator is the literal interpretation of nonliteral languages, such as idioms or metaphors.
Has your child been showing possible signs of communication disorders or autism in the Plano and Frisco area? Contact The Behavior Exchange at 888.716.8084 to request a consult with one of our skilled ABA therapists.