SOCIAL (PRAGMATIC) COMMUNICATION DISORDER

 

THE BASICS:

ETYMOLOGY

Social communication disorder (SCD) was previously known by the name, semantic-pragmatic disorder (SPD), or pragmatic language impairment (PLI). It is a disorder in which the understanding of pragmatic aspects of language somehow gets impaired.

People having SCD face special challenges regarding language(s) (semantic and pragmatic aspects).

Social Communication Disorder (SCD) was included in the DSM-5 in the 2013 update. Prior to the introduction of SCD, these symptoms were classified under Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).

                               

CHARACTERISTICS

Various characteristic features associated with the Social (pragmatic) Communication Disorder are as follows:

• Difficulty with pragmatics
• Difficulties in understanding and following verbal and non-verbal rules (social)
• Changing language according to the needs of the listener or situation
• Ineffective social communication resulting in functional limitations (social participation, effective communication, occupational performance, development of social relationships)
• Low cognitive ability
• Difficulty in the acquisition of language (spoken and written)
• Inappropriate responses in conversation
• Most of these limiting symptoms must be present during early childhood (whether recognized or disguised).

 

INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION

One of the commonly associated features of social (pragmatic) communication disorder is impaired language. It is usually characterized by a history of delay in reaching linguistic milestones.

Individuals having social communication deficits may generally tend to avoid social interactions.

                                

PREVALENCE

As per the prevalence rate of social communication disorder is concerned, the analysis done by the CCC indicates that individuals with autism spectrum disorder also experience the impairment in the specific areas measuring pragmatic communication, along with impaired social relations.

 

GENDER DIFFERENCES

There is a significant increase in the number of females (girls) experiencing the salient story elements, than the number of males (boys).

Intellectually able boys and girls diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder show subtle differences in social communication.

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Individuals with the condition of social communication disorder face particular trouble(s) understanding and comprehending the meaning(s) of what is been said to them or in general. They are faced with challenges in making use of language appropriately in order to get their needs met along with an effective interaction with others. Individuals with the disorder often exhibit the following features:

• Delayed speech (or language) development
• Language related disorders (similar to aphasia) (i.e. pauses, word-category errors, word search, technical jargons, word-order errors, verb-tense error)
• Cluttering and stuttering speech
• Repeating words (or phrases)
• Prefer facts to stories
• Difficulties with various fields:
• Maintaining friendships and other relationships (due to delayed language development)
• Understanding and distinguishing offensive remark(s)
• Organizational skill(s)
• Pronouns
• Comprehending questions
• Verbs and tenses usage
• Describing an event
• Comprehending contextual cues and satire
• Reading comprehension(s)
• Reading the body language
• Making decisions
• Following conversations (or stories)
• Extracting the important points from a conversation

 

CAUSES

There has been no known exact causal factor for the occurrence of Social (pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD). It is known that various genetic factors appear to play a key role among individuals with a family history of Specific Learning Disorders or Communication Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder.

They are more likely to get faced with the condition of Social Communication Disorder (SCD).

 

RISK FACTORS

Genetic and physiological

Social (pragmatic) communication disorder is more likely to be faced by the first-degree relatives of the families earlier faced with or currently facing specific learning disorder, or communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Children younger than the age of 4 years have a rare chance of exhibiting the symptoms concerned with Social Communication Disorder (SCD), the reason behind being the inadequate developmental progress in the fields of language and speech.

By the time a child reaches the age of 4 or 5 years, most of the children are expected to possess or attains adequate language and speech abilities which helps in permitting the identification of specific deficits in social communication.

Until early adolescence, when the processes of social interactions and, speech and language become more complex, there are no significant proofs of the milder forms of the disorder occurring in its complete form(s).

When enhancing through the period of adolescence and entering into adulthood there are varying results of the social (pragmatic) communication disorder. During adulthood, some children exhibit substantial improvement in the existing conditions, whereas others continue to showcase similar difficulties as persisting since before.

Even among those individuals exhibiting significant improvement(s), the existing (or persisting) deficits in pragmatics, may lead to causing lasting impairments in varying behavioral and social relationships along with the delayed acquisition of other life-skills, (i.e. written expression).

 

TREATMENT/THERAPY

The various treatment methods designed for Social Communication Disorder are comparatively less established than those for the treatments of other disorders, such as autism.

Researchers have found quite a lot of similarities between the aspects of autism and social communication disorder, because of which they have been trying certain treatment methods or techniques used for autism, in the treatment of SCD.

Individuals who are faced with various communication disorders are relieved to a certain extent with the help of speech and language therapy. This therapeutic method focuses on the betterment of social interaction and communication. The speech and language therapy can be carried out in any setting, by the therapist.

 

COPING AND SUPPORT

The earlier editions to the DSM-5 edition included diagnoses with related symptoms. But there was an existing need for the diagnosis of Social Communication Disorder, which was needed to ensure that the specific needs and requirements of affected individuals are met successfully with ease.

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which exhibits somehow similar behavioral and characteristic patterns does encompass communication problems. Some other patterns included are repetitive and restricted behavioral patterns along with this an equal weight-age is provided to both repetitive behavioral patterns and social-communication issues.

Researchers have found that communication disorders are amenable to treatment. Thus the early intervention and identification of the distinct communication problems faced by an individual is an important step towards getting adequate and appropriate treatment and care for the affected one.