Semantic Pragmatic Disorder | Autism PDD

DSM IV CRITERIA IS LISTED ABOVE TOO........

I drove myself crazy reading stuff on the internet to prove to myself that my boy wasn't on the spectrum. There would be those days where everything seemed just fine....then there was the hand-flapping day (which thankfully lasted only one day) that had me in tears. I tried to convince myself that my ds just wasn't like the other kids on the spectrum....but the truth remains that he isn't like NT kids either. He is socialble, he will make eye contact, he gives hugs and kisses, he loves to play outdoors, I can take him anywhere and not have to worry about meltdowns, BUT, on the other hand, he self stims by flapping toys by his face at times, he recites videos and books (he memorizes them after hearing once or twice), he has both immediate and delayed echolalia, he is obsessed with cotton balls, he doesn't know how to play properly - and the list goes on. If I were to put him into an ASD category it would be hyperlexia which fits him almost to an exact T, but the fact remains that it's still an ASD. Knowing that my ds has autism is hard to swallow but SAYING it is even harder because when others hear "autism" they immediately think the worst. I hope that with so many kids having autism these days that their condition becomes more accepted and not so scary to people.

Please don't take this wrong. It is not ment to be critical, but to be used as an example.....

[QUOTE=NoahsMom]

If I were to put him into an ASD category it would be hyperlexia which fits him almost to an exact T, but the fact remains that it's still an ASD. Knowing that my ds has autism is hard to swallow but SAYING it is even harder because when others hear "autism" they immediately think the worst. I hope that with so many kids having autism these days that their condition becomes more accepted and not so scary to people.

[/QUOTE]

I think the use of words is also something to think about. Im not trying to be critical here but Autism in itself is something much of society is not educated about. The few people who are, automatically think of "Rainman". Most don't know anything about the disorder much less the 5 categories of ASD's. Now with the EXPANDED ASD's such as High Functioning Autism, Non Verbal Learning Disabilities, Semantic Pragmatic Communication (or Language) Disorder, Hyperlexia, ADHD and whatever else they may decide to throw in there next.... to have a child who is high functioning and say he is "AUTISTIC" does make people question it because people do automatically think worst case senerio. Thats where I feel use of words plays a part... saying your child is on the spectrum, has a form of HFA Autism, or calling it what it is would get less disbelief and help educate society. Just an interesting thought is all....

MsSteelersFan38584.2984259259 I agree. I am actually eager to tell people my son is autistic, both because I feel certain he is and because I think he's a fine example of how bright and functional an autistic person can be. mark_dad38584.3071180556

Michelle posted my thread on SPD. Just a prelimary dx now waiting for further testing.

DS 4.5 has delayed speech, verbal but not in sentences, eye contact at times, echolalia, very affectionate, social with other children but has no idea what anyone is playing, can not peddle a bike, poor diet, some creative play but also scripts from movies, poor fine motor skills, daytime potty trained @ 4 yrs, constant need for hugging. Does not hand flap or toe walk, has great computer skills. I am sure there is more but mind is blank

cyrstal1971 my son spends alot of time in front of the mirror also??? What's up with that???

Greggsmom,

I thought the mirror thing was funny. We even filmed him checking himself out, taking his sunglasses on and off, looking at his butt, checking out his smile, etc. I was surprised when she asked me that, as I had no idea it was a symptom...your son sounds like mine. I am having a hard time believing he is autistic, as he can read my emotions just fine, loves to be around people, he just has a problem communicating and he has NO INTEREST in toys except to throw them from one place to another. I think that is his biggest autism symptom. We have poor fine motor skills also, but I cannot get him to pay attention long enough to do buttons or color. His speech is mostly memorized sentences that he says when I give a queue or the echolalia I am going to look into SPD. Thanks

Just a thought. So many specialists say "He's got eye contact he mustn't have autism". I was pretty sure that eye contact isn't one of the criteria in the DSM IV. We know that kids with Autism can have bad eye contact but I know of some with excellent eye contact but they are still in the spectrum.

In the info for newbies thread there is a copy of the DSM IV criteria for Autism. Have a look it may be useful.
I think that there are a few parents here with kids that have this (possibly in addition to other things).

It seems a good fit for our kid, even tho he has some other symptoms. Because he makes such good eye contact at times, and isn't adverse to cuddling, seeking us out for it at times, it almost seems like we're looking at SPD combined with sensory issues (hence the occasional toe walking, teeth clenching, occasional flapping, etc.).

Any parents of SPD kids here have notes to compare? Is delayed echolalia a big part of SPD?

This sounds like my son, but we are waiting for a diagnosis still. He is 3. Has echolalia (immediate and delayed). He is very social, asks for certain people, etc. The doctor (developemental ped) we took him to said that he had eye contact only occasionally, which was a red flag, had some repetitive motions (light switches) and very delayed speech.

Did a developmental ped give you this diagnosis? We just are unsure about the autism diagnosis (I am pretty sure they will give him this, as they heavily hinted at it) as he seems so social, does NOT mind changes in his routine at all, and does have eye contact except when he first meets strangers (he closes his eyes).
They also said he had some sensory issues (spends a lot of time in front of a mirror looking at himself)

Hopefully you will get some good replies to this question

No diagnosis as yet, but someone intimately familiar with the spectrum said they thought he sounded like he might have SPD. I think that a lot of ASD kids have all of the symptoms of SPD, too, tho. So it could be that he's HF ASD, with all of the SPD symptoms. The fact that he has some language makes me think he has to be HF.

But he does ask for us, and for his primary playmate. He doesn't always want to truly interact with the person he's asking for tho -- just wants them around. And once they're there, he doesn't truly communicate with them. Just gets in their face with his delayed echolalia.

Here I am self-diagnosing again.
What is HF? I read they really do not start to "play" with others until the age of 3. My son does, but the speech gap is beginning to be a factor for him, as the other kids are not interested. It is true that he cannot pick up on that, (that they are not interested in playing with him), so he does have some social issues I guess. His vocabulary consists of ONLY stuff that is important to him, types of food, favorite toys, places, people, names of movies, etc., but nothing spontaneous or abstract. I will have to look into the sensory thing. So much to learn I guess.

We just had a thread on this a few weeks ago Semantic Pragmatic Disorder, Anyone? It may be of help to you.

Please be careful when looking and researching,.. it is good to educate yourself; It is a different story to self diagnose your child. There are many things you can look at and convince yourself you child has even if they don't. So please be careful.

Crystal HF = High Functioning

http://www.pediatricneurology.com/autism.htm#Semantic-Pragma tic%20Communication%20Disorder

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Sorting It Out

Martin L. Kutscher, MD
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Pediatric Neurological Associates, New York and New Jersey
www.PediatricNeurology.Com

Introduction

Great, you figured something out. Congratulations! Now, you may want to share that idea with another human mind. If so, your brain translates the idea into a sequence of words. The words are translated into vibrations that depart from your mouth, sail long distances through the air, and land on my eardrum. These vibrations are turned back into words, and then into meaningful sentences and ideas. My brain also picks up other non-verbal language, such as your facial expression and tone of voice. Meanwhile, I figure out any “hidden agenda” or “subtext” when you said those words. All these elements mix together to come up with an accurate understanding of what your “self” meant to communicate to my “self.”

It’s amazing that this process works at all. It is not really amazing that some people have trouble with some aspect of it. Those people whose primary difficulty is understanding the literal meaning of words are considered to have “traditional” speech and language disabilities. Those people who have difficulty in the non-verbal parts of communication (including their desire and ability to use language in a social context) may be considered to have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The Skills Involved in Communication

In order for us to effectively communicate, we need skill in multiple areas, including (A) verbal and (B) non- verbal arenas.

The ability to socialize/relate/empathize requires a working “Theory of Mind.” Theory of mind refers to the relatively unique ability of humans to understand: (1)that I have a mind, (2) that you have a mind; and most importantly, (3) that our minds may not know or be feeling the same things. Without a theory of mind, there is little point in communicating. After all, who would you be communicating to? There is limited ability to truly recognize that there is another human being in the room. It will be difficult to feel the need to communicate with anyone else. It may seem as if there is a plane of glass between the child and others. Eye contact will be poor.

With limited ability to “get inside your mind,” it will be frequently difficult for the child to demonstrate empathy for what you are feeling. For example, a child with theory of mind problems may assume that since he is happy, then you must be happy; or the child may not understand that someone else is deceptive when his own mind always attempts honesty.

Thus, the ability to recognize that you have a mind, the ability to relate to that mind, and the ability to empathize with that mind are all parts of the same skill. It is felt that theory of mind problems underlie many of the difficulties seen in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Closely related to the “interest” in social communication (that arises from a working theory of mind) are the following skills. They are required to actually achieve the meaningful interaction. Certainly, if you don’t have these skills, your ability to appear interested in social interaction may become blunted.

· Associated skills sometimes also involved with language problems:

o Motor (muscle) coordination, including both gross and fine motor.

o Spatial orientation.

o Overall cognition.

If the child does not understand what is going on around her—especially if pragmatic/socialization cues are difficult—secondary problems usually occur in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The child will frequently appear:

· Anxious, since she doesn’t know where the next blunder will come from.

· Insistent on sameness and showing ritualistic behavior. Change means that previously hard-learned strategies will not help in this situation. These kids are barely hanging on. One new wrinkle can throw them over the edge. For example, Jill may know how to unpack her lunch from her backpack each day; but, what happens if the lunch is missing. Now what do she do?

· Inattentive, since it’s hard to pay attention to something you don’t understand.

· Rude-appearing, since she doesn’t understand rules of conversation such as waiting your turn.

· Interested in objects rather than people. After all, objects are more predictable.

· “Hanging back” from peers, for all of the above reasons, and from simply not knowing how to make conversation and relate.

· “Out of it” and “odd” looking.

When a child has difficulties in these areas out of proportion to his/her general cognitive abilities, he/she can be considered to have a communication disorder.

Difficulties in the above skills can group together in varying combinations and severities, allowing for the naming of several communication disorder syndromes. As we shall see, these disorders overlap greatly. They may also co-exist as “co-morbid” conditions, may lead to each other, and some may even be duplicates of the same condition but approached by different specialties. Additionally, as children develop, their symptoms and most appropriate diagnostic classification might change. The human brain is not so simple that its disorders fit into neat, static categories. Nonetheless, we still attempt to find certain patterns. Unless we know about the range of syndromes, we will fail to look for important symptoms that need to be addressed. These disorders are (over) simplified in Table 1 below.

Disorders of the communication skills are grouped into two major types of “disorders.”

(A) Typical language-based learning disorders are due to problems in the purely spoken/written language communication skills. These include Expressive, Receptive, Processing, and Articulation Language Disorders. Most routine speech and language evaluations examine these areas. Note that routine psychological testing (such as the WISC- “IQ”) examines areas of cognition (thinking), rather than language per se.

(B) Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are those that include non-spoken communication problems—in particular, problems with socialization/empathy. In other words, the Autistic Spectrum Disorders all share trouble with theory of mind, socialization, the pragmatics of language, and representational play. They may occur with or without additional verbal speech problems.

In turn, the Autistic Spectrum Disorders are written about in two groupings. These are summarized in the two charts below, and then are discussed in more detail.

Autistic Disorder	Severely disordered verbal and non-verbal language; unusual behaviors.
Asperger’s Syndrome	Relatively good verbal language, with “milder” non-verbal language problems; restricted range of interests and relatedness.
PDD-NOS	Non-verbal language problems not meeting strict criteria for other PDD disorders.
Rett’s Disorder*	Rare neurodegenerative disorder of girls.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder*	Neurologists are scratching their head on this one, and assume psychiatrists mean neurodegenerative disorders.

*In common practice, the diseases of Rett’s Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are considered medical disorders and are not usually considered part of the “Autistic Spectrum Disorders.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the world has extended the spectrum beyond those conditions discussed in DSM-IV to include other “Autistic Spectrum Disorders.” These are:

Semantic Pragmatic Communication Disorder

Delay and trouble with the use of language (both semantic and pragmatic), but socialization relatively spared.

Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities

Trouble integrating information in 3 areas: non-verbal difficulties causing the child to miss the major gestalt in language; spatial perception problems; and motoric coordination problems.

High Functioning Autism

For some authors, synonymous with Asperger’s; for others, implies milder autism without retardation.

Hyperlexia

Most notable for incredible rote reading skills starting at an early age.

Some aspects of ADHD

Impulse and control difficulties in ADHD may lead to trouble showing their empathy.

We start our review of each Autistic Spectrum syndrome by presenting the diagnostic criteria for each of the DSM-IV PDD disorders, as defined out by the American Psychiatry Association:

(A) total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

1. qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

(a) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

(b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

(c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)

(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

2. qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gestures or mime)

(b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

3. restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

(b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

(c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

(d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

(B) Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.

Symptoms of Asperger’s include: impaired ability to utilize social cues such as body language, irony, or other “subtext” of communication; restricted eye contact and socialization; limited range of encyclopedic interests; perseverative, odd behaviors; didactic, verbose, monotone, droning voice; “concrete” thinking; over-sensitivity to certain stimuli; and unusual movements.

Official DSM-IV criteria are similar to that for Autistic Disorder except do not include the “communication” problem areas: in other words, autistic people who talk well. [Many experts would argue that although verbal speech is preserved in Asperger’s, other communication problems certainly exist.]

(A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people(e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity.

(B) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals

3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

(C) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

(D) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

(E) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

(F) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.

Listen to the speech pattern of kids with Asperger's

This category should be used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. For example, this category includes atypical autism --- presentations that do not meet the criteria for Autistic Disorder because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these.

The current DSM-IV criteria are given below. Thanks to the development of a new genetic blood test, though, we are finding Rett’s Disorder in children with much milder symptoms.

(A) All of the following:

1. apparently normal prenatal and perinatal development

2. apparently normal psychomotor development through the first 5 months after birth

3. normal head circumference at birth

(B) Onset of all of the following after the period of normal development:

1. deceleration of head growth between ages 5 and 48 months

2. loss of previously acquired purposeful hand skills between ages 5 and 30 months with the subsequent development of stereotyped hand movements (e.g., hand-wringing or hand washing)

3. loss of social engagement early in the course (although often social interaction develops later)

4. appearance of poorly coordinated gait or trunk movements

5. severely impaired expressive and receptive language development with severe psychomotor retardation

(A) Apparently normal development for at least the first 2 years after birth as manifested by the presence of age-appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication, social relationships, play, and adaptive behavior.

(B) Clinically significant loss of previously acquired skills (before age 10 years) in at least two of the following areas:

1. expressive or receptive language

2. social skills or adaptive behavior

3. bowel or bladder control

4. play

5. motor skills

1. qualitative impairment in social interaction (e.g., impairment in nonverbal behaviors, failure to develop peer relationships, lack of social or emotional reciprocity)

2. qualitative impairments in communication (e.g., delay or lack of spoken language, inability to initiate or sustain a conversation, stereotyped and repetitive use of language, lack of varied make-believe play)

3. restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, including motor stereotypies and mannerisms

(D) The disturbance is not better accounted for by another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or by Schizophrenia.

Next, we turn our attention to those Autistic Spectrum Disorders that are not included in DSM-IV:

For some authors, this term is synonymous with Asperger’s syndrome. For others, it implies milder autism without retardation, or PDD-NOS.

NVLDs are a cluster of symptoms presumably related to poor ability to integrate information by the non-dominant hemisphere (typically the right hemisphere). Although rote verbal language is spared, non-verbal areas may be debilitating. These children have trouble with the ability to integrate it all together, i.e., to see the big gestalt picture rather than the details. In short, they can’t “see the forest for the trees.”

Although verbal communication is highly prized in school (good talkers, readers, and writers), up to 2/3 of communication actually occurs non-verbally. Thus, in the long run, the maladaptive learning of NVLD may be more destructive than typical LD. Estimates are that 0.1 to 1% of population has a NVLD, compared to 10% of population has a LD, although these numbers may be an artifact of who and how we test.

Difficulty integrating non-verbal information occurs in three main areas:

NVLD symptoms change through the lifespan:

NVLD is determined by neuropsychological testing, whereas Asperger’s is determined by detailed history and observation. There is great overlap in these two conditions—perhaps due to co-morbidity; or perhaps, as some authors feel, they are essentially the same condition but labeled by different specialties. However, Asperger’s is most primarily notable for not appearing interested in forming human bonds. [The degree to which Asperger’s kids actually are painfully aware of their trouble making bonds is debated in the literature. Nevertheless, they typically appear uninterested.] NVLD kids, though, do typically appear interested in human bonds--even though they may be clueless how to actually achieve them successfully. Additionally, children with Asperger’s more typically have diminished “symbolic play” than in NVLD. For example, the toy school bus is a box that rolls, rather than something that little plastic figures climb into.

So, how about this for a gross oversimplification? NVLD kids recognize that you exist while they miss the subtext of what you are saying. Asperger’s kids appear behind a plane of glass as they miss the subtext of what you are saying.

References: Sue Thompson’s article NVLD at http://www.nldontheweb.org/thompson-1.htm

David Dinklage, in the Spring 2001 issue of the AANE (Asperger's Association of New England). Article can be found at http://www.nldontheweb.org/Dinklage_1.htm.

Semantic-Pragmatic Communication Disorder

From “Semantic and Pragmatic Difficulties” by Caroline Bowen at

http://members.tripod.com/Caroline_Bowen/spld.htm.

See also an excellent site on SPLD at http://www.geocities.com/DeniseV2/

and www.hyperlexia.org/sp1.html on SPLD by Margo Sharp.

“Semantics” refers to the ability to use and understand words, phrases and sentences, including abstract concepts and idioms. “Pragmatics” refers to the practical ability to use language in a social setting, such as knowing what is appropriate to say, where and when to say it, the give and take nature of a conversation, and the ability to know what the other person does or does not already know. (See above for further discussion.)

Thus, semantic-pragmatic communication disorder kids have the root problem in:

This inability to understand verbal language and the purpose of language leads to the typical secondary problems we have discussed before:

Life of a child with SPLD through the years:

SPLD kids tend to have somewhat better socialization skills than Asperger's.

SPLD kids tend to have more early delays in speech than Asperger's.

The appropriate label may change over time as the child matures.

The following description comes largely from: Phyllis Kupperman, et al. “Hyperlexia” at the American Hyperlexia Association website at http://www.hyperlexia.org/hyperlexia.html.

Hyperlexia is a condition almost always in boys where Austistic Spectrum symptoms are accompanied by a striking capacity for rote reading. By 18-24 months of age, these kids have taught themselves the ability to name letters and numbers. By three years old, they may read printed words, exceeding even their ability to talk. By five years old, all have a fascination with the printed word. Some of the children seemed to have a mild regression at 18—24 months (less severe than as in Autism).

In addition to this unusual reading skill, there are the other typical common Autistic Spectrum Disorder symptoms we have seen, such as:

ADHDers typically have trouble with “Executive Functions,” with subsequent difficulties in their relationship with others. Usually, though, they have adequate capacity for empathy—but may have trouble inhibiting their behavior long enough to show it. Conversely, many children with Autistic Spectrum may appear to have a short attention span, but just aren’t able to stay focused on situations they don’t understand.

It is probably best to consider ADHD as sometimes sharing the following symptoms with—but not part of—the Autistic Disorders Spectrum:

· Poor reading of social clues (“Johnny, you’re such a social klutz. Can’t you see that the other children think that’s weird.”)

· Poor ability to utilize “self-talk” to work through a problem (“Johnny, what were you thinking?! Did you ever think this through?”)

· Poor sense of self awareness (Johnny’s true answer to the above question is probably “I don’t have a clue. I guess I wasn’t actually thinking.”)

· Do better with predictable routine.

· Poor generalization of rules (“Johnny, I told you to shake hands with your teachers. Why didn’t you shake hands with the principal?)

The classification of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders is in a state of flux. The problems can overlap, cause each other, occur simultaneously in different combinations and severities, change over time, and don’t even have one “official” group attempting the classification of the whole spectrum. (Hence, this paper.)

However, unless we know all of the possible syndromes, we will continue to squeeze everyone into the same category or two. Most importantly, unless we know the full range of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders, we will not identify all of the individual symptoms which require treatment.

With trepidation, I offer the following gross oversimplifications. I am reminded of my professor’s comment on the first day of medical school: “One third of what I am going to tell you this year is wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t know which third.”