Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder is characterized by difficulty using language appropriately in social contexts, despite intact vocabulary and grammar. Individuals with SCD may struggle to take conversational turns, shift language based on setting or listener, or interpret humor, idioms, and indirect requests. These deficits affect how language is used rather than how it is formed and are distinct from general language disorders or autism spectrum disorder. The diagnosis was introduced in the DSM-5 to describe individuals with meaningful social-communication challenges who do not display restricted or repetitive behaviors associated with autism. SCD typically becomes apparent in childhood when conversational demands increase, and persists into adulthood in some cases, especially without intervention.
SCD is most often identified in school-age children when social language demands become more complex. Challenges with storytelling, conversation, and perspective-taking can affect peer relationships, academic success, and self-esteem. In some adults, subtle pragmatic deficits may persist, impacting workplace communication or personal relationships. Acquired injuries like TBI or right-hemisphere stroke can also result in pragmatic deficits similar to SCD. Early recognition enables targeted intervention and can prevent long-term social and emotional difficulties.
Swineford, Lauren B., et al. 2014. “Social (pragmatic) communication disorder: a research review of this new DSM-5 diagnostic category.” Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 6: 41 (2014). Link
Mandy, William P., Adele Wang, Irene Lee, and David Skuse. 2017. “Evaluating social (pragmatic) communication disorder.” Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 58 (10): 1166–1175 (2017). Link
