Pragmatic language disorder is a communication disorder that can make it difficult for children to use language appropriately in social situations. It can interfere with their ability to understand and use social cues, express themselves effectively, and maintain conversations.
If left untreated, this disorder can have long-term implications for children’s social and emotional development. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top causes of pragmatic language disorder in children and discuss how child psychologists in Singapore treat them.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can cause physical, cognitive and language delays in children. When it comes to language, children with cerebral palsy are at risk of developing a pragmatic language disorder, which affects their ability to use appropriate language in social contexts.
For example, the brain may have difficulty processing information in order to construct meaningful sentences, or it may be unable to process the context and tone of conversations. Other potential causes of pragmatic language disorder in children with cerebral palsy include hearing loss, seizures, limited mobility, difficulty seeing, and/or cognitive impairment.
Autism spectrum disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors.
This can manifest in difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, difficulty with back-and-forth conversation, difficulty understanding facial expressions and body language, and difficulty making friends. Many children with ASD also have difficulty with pragmatic language skills.
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common causes of pragmatic language disorder in children. A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that results in physical damage to the brain tissue.
This type of injury can happen in a variety of ways, including falls, car accidents, or even sports injuries. When a child suffers from a TBI, it can cause a variety of changes in their behavior, including difficulty understanding and using language.
Down syndrome
Down syndrome is one of the most common causes of pragmatic language disorder in children. It is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome, which affects many areas of development including communication. People with Down syndrome have difficulty with understanding social cues and interpreting the meaning of language.
They often struggle to understand the subtleties of conversation, such as humor, sarcasm, and figurative language. As a result, they may find it hard to engage in conversations or to maintain them appropriately.
Treatment Options for Pragmatic Language Disorder
If your child has been diagnosed with pragmatic language disorder, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that can help children with this disorder.
1) Speech therapy
Speech therapy is one of the most effective treatments for Pragmatic Language Disorder. Speech therapy helps children improve their social communication skills by providing activities that target specific goals. Depending on the severity of the disorder, child psychologists in Singapore conduct speech therapy that may focus on specific areas such as conversation, understanding social rules, recognizing nonverbal cues, and problem-solving.
2) Social skills training
Social skills training is an important treatment option for children with Pragmatic Language Disorder. This type of intervention by child psychologists in Singapore focuses on teaching the child the specific social skills and behaviors that are necessary for successful communication with others.
It involves learning how to use appropriate language in different contexts, as well as the development of empathy and perspective-taking skills.
