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Speech Therapy Activities for Semantic Pragmatic Disorder

Semantic Pragmatic Disorder (SPD) is a condition often associated with autistic children. However, not all autistic children have SPD and not all children with SPD are autistic. Semantic refers to the ability to understand the meaning of words or phrases. Pragmatic is the use of language in a social context. In other words, knowing what to say and when to say it. In 1983, Isabelle Rapin and A. Doris Allen suggested the name Semantic Pragmatic Disorder be used to diagnosis children with set communicative behaviors and language skill problems. Simple home speech therapy activities can help an SPD child enhance communication skills by developing word associations.

  1. Matching Games

    • Use flash cards in association with real objects. Children with Semantic Pragmatic Disorder have difficulty with abstract language. It is hard to create images in their minds in response to spoken words. If you say "phone" to a child with SPD, the word may have no meaning without a phone sitting right there. Creating flash cards with objects for hands-on play will help the child associate the word. For example, a plastic play phone would sit next to a card with the word "phone" written on it. As you say the word, your child can play with the phone and see the written word. Place a card over frequently seen objects in your home. Label the television, the door, the computer and so on. Children with SPD need constant reminders with word and picture associations to improve language skills.

    Computer Play

    • Encourage your child to use a computer to type out written words. By typing words onto a screen, he will make a visual connection with the word. His mind must think the word, his fingers must type the word and his eyes must see the word. Learning for any individual is increased by the use of more than one sense, which is why we read chapters aloud when studying. This allows us to hear the text as well as see it. It enhances our understanding and memory of the material. A child with Semantic Pragmatic Disorder needs to make the connection between words, spelling, grammar and sentence structure. For a child with SPD, seeing is everything. The concept of words connecting together to form a sentence is abstract unless they see the process. Typing assignments out or creating text on a computer provides a visual association between language and words.

    Pictorial Schedule

    • Create a pictorial time line for your child. Under each new event, write out the text to define what is going on at the time. For example, draw a picture of her sleeping in bed with a sun rising in the window. Under the picture, write out, "Sally wakes up." The next picture might be a toothbrush. The caption could read, "Sally brushes her teeth." Most days will involve the same basic steps. A time line allows your child to know what the next event in the day is going to be. By writing the words under the picture, you create an association for the SPD child. Place the pictorial in a place your child knows as her space, such as her bedroom wall. Sally can look at the timeline and know that after waking up in bed, she will brush her teeth. Timelines have proven to be successful with autistic children. By writing the words under the pictures, you create an association that will enhance the language skills of a child with SPD.

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