Social Skills

What are social skills?

Social skills are what allow you to interact with other people. They include listening, responding, understanding social rules, and using empathy to understand another person’s perspective. 

Language skills are a critical component of social skills. If your child has a language delay or a pragmatic language disorder, they might also have trouble with social interactions, affecting their academic performance and confidence. 

What are pragmatic language disorders?

Pragmatic language disorders, sometimes called a social communication disorder, affect how your child understands or applies the unspoken and subtle verbal communication rules that help people connect.

Children with pragmatic language disorders aren’t rude, but they don’t know how to use language socially. They often have an age-appropriate vocabulary and can create sentences, but they have trouble with the give-and-take of conversation.

For example, some children with pragmatic language disorders monopolize or interrupt conversations, while others might hesitate to talk at all. As a result, their social skills seem delayed.

What are the signs of delayed social language skills?

As mentioned, some children with delayed social language skills don’t understand the unspoken rules of conversation. For example, they might have trouble with:

• Starting conversations
• Listening
• Phrasing questions
• Staying on topic
• Knowing when a conversation is over

While most children don’t see a speech therapist for pragmatic language skills until they start school, you might spot symptoms at younger ages. For example, your child might have a delay in reaching other language milestones or have little interest in social interactions. 

How can you help my child improve their social language skills?

Celebrations Speech Group begins with a thorough evaluation of your child’s speech and language skills. They use a variety of techniques, including observation, interviews, and formal one-on-one testing.

Once the team at Celebrations Speech Group understands your child’s condition and unique needs, they create a personalized speech and language therapy program. 

The team uses several therapeutic methods to help your child develop their social language skills. For example, they often work in one-on-one settings with children to practice taking turns in conversation, asking questions and introducing or ending topics.

The therapist might also use role-play games and visual tools to teach your child strategies for managing social situations. 

If you’re concerned about your child’s language or social skills, call Celebrations Speech Group or schedule an appointment online today.