Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder

About Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder

Social pragmatic communication disorder is a diagnosis introduced in DSM-5 in 2013. It describes persistent difficulties in the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication, such as adapting communication to the context or listener, following the rules of conversation and storytelling, taking turns, and understanding what is not stated explicitly, including inferences, humor and metaphor. These difficulties limit effective communication, social participation, relationships and academic or work performance. The diagnosis requires that the person does not have the restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests seen in autism spectrum disorder, and distinguishing the two can be a careful clinical process. Symptoms begin in early development but may not be fully apparent until social demands increase. Research on this condition is still developing. Support is usually provided through speech and language therapy that targets social communication skills, often with involvement of families and schools.