Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesSCD vs. AutismTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

SCD vs. Autism

Treatment

Coping

Close

Social communication disorder (SCD) is aneurodevelopmental conditionthat leads to difficulty speaking in social settings. SCD typically appears during early child development.

It is often confused with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because of similar traits, making diagnoses tricky. To get an accurate diagnosis, doctors must eliminate the possibility ofASDand vice versa.

SCD is a relatively new discovery. Previously considered part of ASD, SCD was finally added to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR)in 2013 as a standalone diagnosis.

Symptoms of Social Communication Disorder

Social communication disorder causes individuals to struggle with changing their communication style to fit different scenarios. They may develop a vocabulary, understand grammar and individual words but aren’t aware of pragmatic language.

SCD can impact speaking, writing, gestures and sign language. Signs of SCD include:

The implications of SCD can have long-term consequences impacting a person’s daily life and their ability to keep, maintain and participate in personal and professional relationships.

Someone may understand certain forms of communication but have problems applying them in social situations.

Diagnosis of Social Communication Disorder

Experts recommend that parents wait until their child is 4 or 5 years old before seeking a diagnosis.A speech-language pathologist takes a medical and behavioral history, collaborates with parents and teachers, and performs several diagnostic tests.

Screening for SCD includes interviews and observations, hearing tests, and questionnaires to determine an accurate diagnosis. Doctors rule out other neurological disorders and medical conditions that may impact speech, such as intellectual development disorder,global development delay, or another mental disorder.

Causes of Social Communication Disorder

Although the cause of social communication disorder is currently unknown, the risk is higher if there is a family history of autism, other communication disorders, or specific learning disabilities. SCD can occur alone or along with conditions including:

Types of Speech Impediments

Social Communication Disorder vs. Autism Spectrum Disorder

People with social communication disorder and autism have difficulty communicating, but those with ASD also show restricted interests and repetitive behavior.

Since SCD is considered part of an autism diagnosis; it can’t be diagnosed alongside ASD. Before SCD was added to the DSM-5, people may have been diagnosed with ASD or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

A 2018 study found that 22% of the children previously diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) would now receive a diagnosis of SCD. 6% of those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome would now receive a diagnosis of SCD.

Treatment for Social Communication Disorder

There are a variety of treatments that parents, teachers, and doctors can do, but speech-language therapy is the primary treatment. Experts use various methods that work on conversation skills through one-on-one or small group activities.

Here are treatment methods for SCD:

Coping With Social Communication Disorder

Social communication can impact the whole household. By working with a speech-language therapist, individuals can learn strategies to reduce the impact of SCD on their social life.

More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of therapy over time, but the sooner you find out the better.With the help of a doctor, people with SCD can learn how to navigate social situations.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Topal Z, Demir Samurcu N, Taskiran S, Tufan AE, Semerci B.Social communication disorder: a narrative review on current insights.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018;14:2039-2046. doi:10.2147%2FNDT.S121124

American Psychiatric Association.Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder.2013

Social communication disorder. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Timler GR. Similar … But Very Different: Determining when a child has social communication disorder versus autism spectrum disorder can be tricky. Here are some key considerations. Leader. 2018;23(4):56-61.

Lim YS, Park KJ, Kim HW.Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5 compared to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-iv.J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;29(4):178-184. doi:10.5765/jkacap.180016

Tierney CD, Kurtz M, Panchik A, Pitterle K. “Look at me when I am talking to you”: evidence and assessment of social pragmatics interventions for children with autism and social communication disorders. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2014;26(2):259-264.

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