Social Communication Disorder is defined by ongoing problems using verbal and nonverbal communication in social situations. Whereas Autism is a disorder caused by differences in the brain.
Difference Between Social Communication Disorder and Autism
Parents who believe their kid was wrongly diagnosed with ASD should be aware that one of the primary distinctions between ASD and SCD is that children with autism struggle with social communication and disruptive behaviors.
The disruptive actions of the child are the following:
- Body movements that are repeated, such as flapping, hopping, and jumping.
- Placing things in order and putting them back in order.
- Repeating words, syllables, and sentences and compulsive interest in certain things.
- Extremely loud and aggressive behavior might sometimes occur from any interruption to routine.
What is Social Communication Disorder?
Social Communication issues aren’t the only thing people with SCD and ASD struggle with. Social Communication Disorder (SCD) refers to issues with a person’s ability to communicate with others. People with (SCD) lack eye contact, greet others inappropriately and, might fail to stay on one topic.
Therapies for autism (ASD) usually focus on verbal and nonverbal communication. People with SCD may need help to change their speech patterns or to use various language components, such as vocabulary.
Symptoms of Social Communication Disorder
One of the defining characteristics of SCD is poor pragmatics or adopting speech and communication to fit the situation. Depending on the circumstances, individuals with SCD struggle to adjust their speech and communication, including loudness, pitch and volume.
Autism speaks states that people with SCD may also have difficulties with:
- Getting back to others
- face difficulty communicating with others for social purposes.
- Using hand motions like waving and pointing
- Discussing emotions and feelings
- Having a lack of eye contact
- And find it difficult to stay on one topic.
- Maintaining focus and modifying speech to suit various people and situations.
- Responding with relevant comments.
- Communicate with friends.
- Making new friends.
A person with SCD may correctly pronounce words and use complete sentences but need help maintaining a two-way conversation.
Children might have difficulty and low interest in social interactions.
How can Social Communication Disorder be Treated?
SCD is a recently discovered illness. According to the Child Mind Institute, there is no specific treatment for SCD. However, speech and language therapy with a pragmatic focus and interactive abilities instruction is believed to be helpful.
Therapy should be personalized for each patient, focusing on functional enhancements of communication abilities, particularly in social settings.
Additional therapeutic objectives may include:
- Identify your social communication deficiencies.
- Promote social interaction-related activities.
- Work to develop your strengths.
- Be independent in natural communication environments.
In SCD treatment, parents and family members are frequently involved. Your child’s therapist might visit the school and interact with teachers, psychologists, special educators, and caretakers for feedback.
Tools Used During Treatment
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) uses gestures, photographs, drawings or objects.
- Vocabulary, social skills, social comprehension, and problem-solving, are taught through computer-based learning.
- Using video recording to teach through demonstration of desired behavior.
Your kid should be reviewed for an accurate diagnosis if they were previously diagnosed with autism but do not frequently exhibit constructive or disruptive behavior linked to autism spectrum disorder. You might discover that social communication disorder is the real problem with the child.
Also read, Is Social Communication Disorder Related to Autism?