Understanding A Social Communication Disorder

       Understanding A Social Communication Disorder

Social communication disorder (SCD) is characterized by persistent difficulties with the use of verbal and nonverbal language for social purposes. Primary difficulties may be in social interaction, social understanding, pragmatics, language processing, or any combination of the above (Adams, 2005). Social communication behaviors such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language are influenced by sociocultural and individual factors (Curenton & Justice, 2004; Inglebret et al., 2008). This article shall look at understanding a social communication disorder.

There is a wide range of acceptable norms within and across individuals, families, and cultures. Specific communication challenges may become apparent when difficulties arise in the following:

• communicating for social purposes in ways that are appropriate for the particular social context
• changing communication to match the context or needs of the listener
• following rules for conversation and storytelling
• understanding nonliteral or ambiguous language
• understanding that which is not explicitly stated
• sentence grammar and lexical semantics
• inferential language
• discourse comprehension
• misinterpretation of contextual meaning

This definition is consistent with the diagnostic criteria for social (pragmatic) communication disorder detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Please note that certain references cited on this page may predate this definition. Therefore, specific terminology relating to “social (pragmatic) communication disorder” may not be used in all cases, but information may still be relevant and considered for the SCD population.

Social communication encompasses the following components:

• pragmatics—communication that focuses on goal-consistent language use in social contexts (N. Nelson, 2010)
• social interaction—communication that occurs between at least two individuals
• social cognition—an understanding of the mental and emotional states of self and others, social schemes, and social knowledge that beliefs and values cause social events, expected socially appropriate behavior and consequences of inappropriate behavior
• language processing—internal generation of language (expressive), and understanding and interpretation of language (receptive)

Social communication enables individuals to share experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Social communication skills are needed for language expression and comprehension in nonverbal, spoken, written, and visual–gestural (sign language) modalities.

Social communication skills include the ability to

• adjust speech style based on context,
• understand the perspectives of others,
• understand and appropriately use the rules for verbal and nonverbal communication, and
• use the structural aspects of language (e.g., vocabulary, syntax, and phonology).

Social communication disorder (SCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that leads to difficulty speaking in social settings. SCD typically appears during early childhood development.

It is often confused with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because of similar traits, making diagnoses tricky. To get an accurate diagnosis, doctors must eliminate the possibility of ASD and vice versa.

SCD is a relatively new discovery. Previously considered part of ASD, SCD was finally added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR) in 2013 as a standalone diagnosis.

Causes of calf pain and treatment options

Symptoms of Social Communication Disorder

Social communication disorder causes individuals to struggle with changing their communication style to fit different scenarios. They may develop a vocabulary, understand grammar and individual words but aren’t aware of pragmatic language.

SCD can impact speaking, writing, gestures, and sign language. Signs of SCD include:

• Difficulty recognizing when and how to change tone or communication styles. For example, speaking differently on the playground versus the classroom.
• Trouble sharing information, initiating conversations, greeting people, and engaging in conversation.
• Constantly interrupting and struggling to adhere to conversation etiquette such as providing more details or interpreting verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Issues understanding implied communication such as humor, sarcasm, or metaphors.
• Poor eye contact
• Difficult expressing and understanding the feelings of others

The implications of SCD can have long-term consequences impacting a person’s daily life and their ability to keep, maintain and participate in personal and professional relationships.

Diagnosis of Social Communication Disorder   

Experts recommend that parents wait until their child is 4 or 5 years old before seeking a diagnosis.3 A speech-language pathologist takes a medical and behavioral history, collaborates with parents and teachers, and performs several diagnostic tests.

Screening for SCD includes interviews and observations, hearing tests, and questionnaires to determine an accurate diagnosis. Doctors rule out other neurological disorders and medical conditions that may impact speech, such as intellectual development disorder, global development delay, or another mental disorder.

                                                 

Causes of Social Communication Disorder 

Although the cause of social communication disorder is currently unknown, the risk is higher if there is a family history of autism, other communication disorders, or specific learning disabilities. SCD can occur alone or along with conditions including:

• Language disorders
• Speech sound disorders
• Childhood-onset fluency disorders (stuttering)
• Unspecified communication disorders

Social Communication Disorder vs. Autism Spectrum Disorder

People with social communication disorder and autism have difficulty communicating, but those with ASD also show restricted interests and repetitive behavior.

Since SCD is considered part of an autism diagnosis; it can’t be diagnosed alongside ASD. Before SCD was added to the DSM-5, people may have been diagnosed with ASD or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

A 2018 study found that 22% of the children previously diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) would now receive a diagnosis of SCD. 6% of those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome would now receive a diagnosis of SCD.

 

Treatment for Social Communication Disorder  

There are a variety of treatments that parents, teachers, and doctors can do, but speech-language therapy is the primary treatment. Experts use various methods that work on conversation skills through one-on-one or small group activities.

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Here are the treatment methods for SCD:

• Organize structured playdates: Invite a friend over and monitor the interaction while your child does a structured activity. As the skills in this area grow, you can try new locations.
• Read books: While reading, hypothesize what the characters may be thinking and why, and ask open-ended questions about the book.
• Play games: Playing teaches boundaries and how to wait your turn. During the game, ask open-ended questions and promote conversation.
• Speech pragmatic training: This practice teaches the meaning of idioms and the appropriate use of greetings.
• Create social scripts: These scripted prompts show people how to use language during certain social situations.
• Stories: Media like books and anecdotal stories can play a key role in explaining social situations, promoting problem-solving, and teaching responses that fit social situations
• Have visual aids: At times when they may not be able to verbalize how they feel, those with SCD may be able to communicate using pictures, toys, or props.

Coping With Social Communication Disorder  

Social communication can impact the whole household. By working with a speech-language therapist, individuals can learn strategies to reduce the impact of SCD on their social life.

More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of therapy over time, but the sooner you find out the better.

 With the help of a doctor, people with SCD can learn how to navigate social situations.

I hope you find this article helpful.