Social skills are vital for establishing and developing friendships, holding conversations and interacting with the world around us. Social communication skills are also known as pragmatics. These are the ‘rules’ that we follow when we talk to others. As your child develops, they begin to learn the unspoken rules of conversation. For example, you should look at someone if you are talking to them, take turns in a conversation, what to do if you don’t understand what someone has said. Knowing these rules makes it easier to communicate and establish friendships.
A difficulty with communication skills is often related to children and adults with autism. However, a social communication disorder can be present in any person who has a greater difficulty in social communication relative to their ability to use language and understand language[1].