What is semantic pragmatic disorder?
SPD is a language disorder that affects semantic processing and the pragmatics of language use. Pragmatics refers to the use of language in a social context (knowing what to say and when to say it to people). Semantics refers to the meanings of words and phrases. SPD is a developmental disorder that improves with age. Rates of improvement will depend on the intelligence of the child and the support around them. Similarities to autism Children with SPD often appear to have similar features to people with autism. Similarities include: • difficulties with eye contact • not having very many friends happy to be a loner • sensory difficulties • echolalia (repeating what others say) • temper tantrums • no or very little imagination • inappropriate behaviour for their age group • no empathy. Problems with understanding Due to the way that people with SPD process information, they are unable to distinguish between the central meaning of an event and the extra information that surrounds it. For
