Pragmatic Language

Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

When to be concerned

Child has difficulties with understanding age-related social conventions of interaction.

Child struggles with turn-taking during conversations.

Child struggles to use appropriate level of physical contact during play.

Child finds it difficult to adjust their way of speaking according to audience.

Child struggles to maintain eye contact and other non-verbal cues are not observed.

Child may find it difficult to initiate and maintain conversation.

Child may struggle to initiate and maintain friendships.

Child may find it difficult to identify and manage emotions.

What to do

Provide support and encouragement to ask and answer questions, contribute to class discussion and extend social interaction skills.

Allow time to prepare answers or contributions.

Model and encourage appropriate nonverbal communication skills.

Model and encourage appropriate verbal skills.

Provide a specific, achievable role within a group.

Offer opportunities for a structured systems to help facilitate social interaction during unstructured times e.g. lunchtime clubs, buddying, peer mentoring, social skills.

How to assess Pragmatic Language Difficulties