Understand what social communication is, its key components, and when social communication disorder might require professional speech pathology support.
Written by: William Huynh, MPSA-CPSP, Director of Brighter Futures Allied Health
Published: 07 September 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general education only and should not be used as a substitute for professional assessment or personalised clinical advice. If you have concerns about speech, language, voice or swallowing, speak with a qualified speech pathologist or appropriate healthcare professional.
Social communication is how we use language, non-verbal cues, and social understanding to connect with others. It includes skills such as taking turns in conversation, understanding tone and context, reading social cues, and adjusting how we communicate depending on the person or situation.
Social communication can become a challenge when difficulties with these skills make it harder to start or maintain conversations, understand what others mean, respond appropriately, or participate comfortably in everyday interactions. These challenges can affect children and adults in different ways.
Clinician’s Notes: Difficulties with social communication are not always simply a matter of being “socially awkward”. When persistent difficulties with using and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication affect everyday interactions, they may be associated with Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD), a recognised communication disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Social communication involves several interconnected skills that help us understand others, express ourselves, and participate effectively in everyday interactions. These skills can vary from person to person and may look different depending on age, environment, and communication demands.
Pragmatic language is how we use language appropriately in different social situations. This can include knowing what to say, how to say it, when to speak, and how to adjust our communication based on who we are talking to and what is happening.
Social interaction involves the skills needed to participate in conversations and other interactions with people. This may include taking turns, staying on topic, starting or ending an interaction, responding to others, and maintaining an appropriate level of engagement.
Social cognition refers to how we understand and interpret other people’s thoughts, feelings, intentions, and perspectives. Difficulties in this area may make it harder to recognise social cues, understand another person’s point of view, or work out what someone means when their message is not stated directly.
Language processing is the way we understand, interpret, and respond to spoken or written language during communication. Difficulties may affect how quickly someone understands what has been said, follows a conversation, interprets implied meaning, or formulates an appropriate response.
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD) is a recognised communication disorder involving ongoing difficulties across aspects of social communication. This may affect pragmatic language, social interaction, social cognition, or the ability to process and interpret language in social situations, making it harder for a person to understand others, express themselves, or participate effectively in interactions.
SCD is diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment of a person’s social communication skills and how these difficulties affect everyday life. A speech pathologist may assess areas such as pragmatic language, conversation skills, comprehension, and the use of verbal and non-verbal communication across different contexts.
Because social communication difficulties can occur alongside or overlap with other conditions, assessment may also involve other qualified professionals where appropriate. A diagnosis should consider the person’s developmental history, communication profile, and the impact of their difficulties at home, school, work, or in social relationships.
Social communication therapy focuses on helping a person use and understand communication more effectively in everyday situations. Therapy is tailored to the person’s age, communication profile, and goals, with support potentially addressing conversation skills, understanding social cues, interpreting language, and adapting communication across different settings.
Depending on the individual’s needs, therapy may focus on:
A speech pathologist may use a combination of structured activities and real-life practice, depending on the person’s needs and goals. Techniques may include:
Clinician’s Notes: Group therapy can provide opportunities to practise social communication skills in a supportive, real-world setting. Working with other people allows participants to practise skills such as taking turns, starting conversations, reading social cues, and responding to different communication styles as they occur naturally. For some people, group sessions can complement individual therapy by providing a bridge between practising a skill with a speech pathologist and using it in everyday social situations.
If you or someone you care for is experiencing ongoing difficulties with social communication, reliable information can be a helpful starting point. The following Australian resources can help you learn more about social communication, communication difficulties, and accessing professional support:
Online information can help you understand social communication difficulties, but it cannot replace an individual assessment. A qualified speech pathologist can look at how a person communicates across different situations, identify areas that may be affecting everyday interactions, and recommend appropriate support. If you are unsure where to begin, speaking with a speech pathologist can be a useful first step.
William Huynh is a senior speech pathologist and the director of NDIS-registered provider Brighter Futures Allied Health. He has over a decade of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs, including disability, dysphagia, and acquired language impairments. William has completed specialist training in approaches such as Key Word Sign, LAMP Words for Life, Grid 3, and Hanen’s More Than Words. He also supervises speech pathologists and student placements, supporting evidence-based and family-centred practice.
