Social Communication/Pragmatic Language
Communication is a critical part of daily life. Pragmatic language, or “social communication,” refers to using speech and language for social purposes. Pragmatic language is essential, as this is what facilitates children to communicate thoughts, feelings, emotions, and needs both verbally and non-verbally. Verbal communication includes the ability to do the following: conversational exchanges, conversational turn-taking, eye contact, asking questions and answering questions, maintaining a topic of conversation, and using appropriate language for the situation. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures and body language, and appropriate personal space during interactions.
Focus
Children may benefit from speech therapy to help with pragmatics if they have difficulty in the following areas:
Turn-taking.
Staying on topic.
Appropriate responses, body language, gestures, and facial expressions.
Abstract ideas and figurative language, such as idioms.
Relaying personal information/experiences