Social Pragmatic Disorders in the School Years

Question 1

What classifies an ASD individual as “high-functioning”

Answer 1

-Those with language abilities beyond the developing language stage (by the end of preschool age - 5 y/o)

Question 2

How can we characterize high-functioning children w/ASD?

Answer 2

• Difficulty reading emotions, adjusting language based on audience, prosody disturbances, retracted conversation topics
• Varies by individual

Question 3

T/F: Emotional disturbance is associated with low language skills?

Answer 3

True - we don’t know if it’s something within ED, or if they’re highly comorbid

Question 4

T/F: Anti-social behavior is a primary concern with many ED subcategories.

Answer 4

TRUE - social communication / pragmatic language is implicated

Question 5

What are some other names for non-verbal learning disorder?

Answer 5

NVLD, nonverbal learning disability, NLD, right hemisphere syndrome

Question 6

Nonverbal learning disorder is a different type of learning disability characterized by…

Answer 6

-Verbal IQ > performance / nonverbal IQ

Question 7

Typical strengths for an individual with NVLD (5)

Answer 7

-Rote learning
-Memorization
-Vocabulary
-Decoding
-Auditory processing
(phonology, morphosyntax, semantics: vocab BREADTH)

Question 8

Typical weaknesses for an individual with NVLD (5)

Answer 8

-Visuo-spatial perception
-Organization
-Physical coordination
-Problem-solving, hypothesis testing
-Social cognition
(Semantics: Vocab DEPTH, higher-level semantic skills such as multiple meanings, ambiguity, figurative language, inferences,; pragmatics)

Question 9

What are some specific pragmatic weaknesses in NVLD?

Answer 9

• Overly verbose (poor turn-taking skills)
• Tangential
• Content inappropriate to situation
• Difficulty interpreting nonverbal communication
• Concrete, literal, inflexible thinkers

Question 10

Pragmatic weaknesses in SLI

Answer 10

• Poor social skills are well-supported in learning disabilities in general
• Preschoolers with SLI are avoided by their peers

Question 11

Social weaknesses in SLI have contributors BEYOND language impairment such as…

Answer 11

• Withdrawal behaviors in children w/SLI are NOT predicted by severity of lang. impairment
• Emotional regulation skills may also be impaired in SLI

Question 12

T/F: Social communication may be substantially impaired in children with primary language impairments

Answer 12

TRUE

Question 13

What are the two “jobs” of school-aged children?

Answer 13

• Grow academically

- Grow socially

Question 14

Is pragmatic language a worthy target of assessment and treatment?

Answer 14

YES