So Your Child Just Got a 'Pragmatic Language Disorder' Diagnosis: Now What?
Getting a diagnosis of a pragmatic language disorder can be overwhelming and leave you feeling unsure about what’s next.
You might be wondering, “What does this mean for my child’s future?” or “Where do we go from here?”
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in this journey, and there are many resources and experts ready to help you and your child!
What is a Pragmatic Language Disorder, anyway?
“Pragmatic language disorder” means that the person has challenges with using language in a social way to interact with others, make friends, or keep friends over time.
This means that your child may struggle with things like:
→ understanding social cues
→ taking turns in conversations
→ how to have a conversation
→ recognizing how their words affect other people’s feelings
→ handling losing a game
→ knowing rules of texting or online communication
A neuropsychologist may have suggested this diagnosis for your child, however, for a thorough assessment, you’ll want to connect with a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP). These professionals specialize in evaluating and treating communication disorders, and they can provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s specific needs.
The Path Forward: What’s Next?
Evaluation: Start with a full evaluation from a speech therapist. This assessment will identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for tailored support.
Individual Services: Many SLPs offer one-on-one therapy sessions focused on pragmatic language skills. These personalized sessions can help your child learn how to navigate social interactions effectively.
Social Skills Groups: Look for good social skills groups that provide structured, expert-led instruction to help your child truly learn how to use newly learned social skills in social situations. Check out our blog post about how to pick the right ‘social skills group’ for your child to learn more about this topic.
Digital Course: Consider enrolling in my digital course, The Social Skills Blueprint: Conversation Skills for Better Friendships. This course is designed to help kids and teens understand the nuances of conversation and improve their ability to make friends. It’s filled with practical tips and strategies that can empower your child to connect with others more easily.
Hope for the Future
Right now, your child may not yet be aware of how their actions or words can affect those around them, that it’s important to be considerate when being honest, or that they can learn how to talk to other people.
But there is help for those with a pragmatic language disorder diagnosis.
Speech therapists specializing in social skills can help your child learn the social skills they need.
Your child can learn how to navigate the complexities of social interactions, develop meaningful friendships and even experience improved family dynamics at home!
Imagine a future for your child where they are easily and confidently engaging in great conversations, they’ve developed several close friendships, and they finally understand the impact of their words on others’ feelings.
⬆️ This is absolutely possible!
Please Remember, You Are Not Alone.
As a parent, it’s natural to feel worried, but remember, you have a community here to support you.
Together, we can help your child grow and develop the skills they need to thrive in social situations.
To kick start your journey, you can download my free Conversation Skills Quiz to quickly assess where your child’s conversation skills are, and get tips you can start using right away to help get the ball rolling for them.
Simply fill out the form below to get started!
And remember that I’m here for you every step of the way.