Social and Pragmatic Language

Social/pragmatic language refers to how we functionally use language to request, protest, comment, take turns, and ask and answer questions. Social/pragmatic language also refers to how we use language to engage in back-and-forth conversations.

Someone with a social/pragmatic language disorder may have difficulty:

• using appropriate greetings
• telling and understanding stories
• engaging in conversation (e.g., initiating or entering a conversation, topic maintenance, turn-taking, responsivity, providing the right amount of information)
• repairing communication breakdowns (e.g., rephrasing when misunderstood)
• interpreting the verbal and nonverbal signals of others during an interaction
• understanding ambiguous or figurative language
• forming and maintaining close relationships.

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In order to diagnose a child with deficits in social aspects of communication, gathering adequate case history is important.

A speech pathologist will typically assess the individual’s ability to use verbal and nonverbal means of communication (e.g., natural gestures, pictures etc.), and attribute mental and emotional states to oneself and others (Theory of Mind).