What is a social communication disorder?

A social communication disorder (SCD) is when a person has a normal intelligence quotient but has difficulty communicating in social situations. It has also been called Pragmatic Language Impairment (PLI) or Semantic-pragmatic Disorder because it refers to an inability to grasp the rules for how language functions in society.

Social communication disorder is similar to autism spectrum disorder and has been confused with it in the past, but it is now considered distinct because it does not exhibit the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, such as limited interests and repetitive behaviors.

Diagnostic criteria and five characteristics of social communication disorder

To summarize the diagnostic criteria for social communication disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), they are

– Persistent difficulties in the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication
– Deficits cause functional limitations in effective communication, social participation, etc.
– Symptoms are not better explained by autism spectrum disorder, intellectual developmental disability, etc.

In addition, social communication disorders often have the following specific characteristics.

1. Difficulty using appropriate ways of speaking. Difficulty distinguishing between formal and informal language that is appropriate for            different times, places, and situations.
2. Difficulty communicating nonverbally, e.g., reading body language and facial expressions.
3. Have difficulty understanding ambiguous expressions, such as “I’m fine” or “I’m not,” which can be both positive and negative, and may        not be understood in context.
4. Most develop in childhood, and symptoms may not be noticeable or problematic during childhood.
5. In adulthood, the symptoms cause specific difficulties and interfere with social participation, schoolwork, work, etc.

What jobs can people with social communication difficulties do well?

• Programmers

  Programming is a typical job that doesn’t require much communication, as there are many task-oriented tasks that can be done in solitude.

• Access analysis

  This is a job with relatively little communication stress, as it involves a lot of silent scrutiny and verification.

• Quality control

  This is a job that centers around performing inspections and keeping records, so you can get by with little communication.

• Clerical tasks such as data entry

  Back-office work centered around back-office tasks can be less stressful because it requires less communication. However, phone calls, dealing with customers, and sales may not be suitable for people with social communication disorders.

• Factory worker

  Repeating set tasks on a production line can be an easy job because it requires little communication.

• Delivery driver

  This is a job that requires relatively few social communication skills, as there is minimal communication, but most of it is specific to the job.

  Other jobs that don’t require a lot of interpersonal skills include jobs that use computer skills, jobs that can be completed in private, such as being a painter or writer, and jobs that allow you to work from home. Many people excel in jobs where written rules are more important.

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