Pragmatics
​
What is it?
Pragmatics is also referred to as social communication. It refers to the way in which language is used within social situations.
​
Key Components Include:
​
-
The ability to use language for different purposes (greet others, question, negate, and make requests)
​
-
The ability to adapt language to meet the needs of the listener or situation (talking differently to a baby vs an adult, providing more or less information, how they act on the playground vs in the classroom)
​
-
Following the rules of conversation (turn taking, topic maintenance, and the appropriate use of nonverbal language such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and body language)
​
​
-
Difficulty initiating and ending conversations appropriately
-
Difficulty taking turns in conversation or in play
-
Difficulty interpreting facial expressions, body language, or nonverbal cues
-
Difficulty interpreting the tone of voice in others (an angry vs a happy voice)
-
Poor eye contact
-
Unaware of personal space
-
Have difficulty remaining on topic
-
Tell stories in a disorganized way
-
Dominates conversations and does not listen
-
Does not ask for clarification when they don't understand
-
Difficulty coping with transitions or changes in routine
-
Struggles with making and maintaining friendships
-
Struggles with problem solving in social situations