Pediatric Speech Therapy for Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
For some children, navigating everyday interactions like making friends, following conversations, or reading social cues can feel overwhelming. These social communication challenges affect a child’s ability to connect meaningfully with others, which can impact their confidence and social experiences both in school and at home.
At Fluens Children's Therapy, we help children with social (pragmatic) communication disorder build the skills they need for effective and confident social communication. Through individualized speech therapy sessions, our team empowers children to express themselves, understand others, and feel more at ease in social situations.
What Is Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder?
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD) involves challenges with the social aspects of language. While a child may understand language itself, like vocabulary or grammar, SPCD affects how they use language in social settings.
This can involve knowing when to speak in a conversation, changing their tone to fit different situations (like how you speak to parents versus how you speak to friends), or understanding unwritten social rules like personal space and eye contact.
Common Signs of Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder in Children
Some of the most common signs that a child finds social interactions challenging (and may have SPCD) include:
- Difficulty taking turns during conversations
- Challenges with staying on topic or maintaining a conversation
- Not understanding personal space boundaries or other social norms
- Trouble understanding facial expressions, gestures, or body language
- Using an inappropriate tone of voice for the situation
- Struggling to understand humor, sarcasm, or implied meanings
- Difficulty understanding non-literal language, like exaggeration
- Trouble understanding how others feel or think
What Causes Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder in Children?
SPCD does not have a single known cause, but it is often associated with other conditions like:
- Developmental delays
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Aphasia (a communication disorder that makes it hard to use words)
How Pediatric Speech Therapy Can Help Children with Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
At Fluens Children's Therapy, we offer targeted speech therapy designed to help children improve their social communication skills. We start with an evaluation to determine which areas of social (pragmatic) communication your child struggles with, then build a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Through interactive, evidence-based activities, we teach children various social communication skills like how to initiate and maintain conversations, read social cues, and understand the flow of interactions. Our approach emphasizes practical skills and real-world scenarios to empower your child to apply what they learn in therapy to their daily life.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
Ready to help your child build the social communication skills they need for meaningful connections at home, school, and beyond? Fluens Children’s Therapy is ready to work with you to make it happen!
Reach out to our team in University Place, WA, at (253) 212-3502 or our team in Columbia, TN, at (931) 982-6092 to schedule an evaluation today.