Pragmatic language, did anyone's DC ' catch up' ?

[Twinlifey]

Hi, my 4.3 year old son has a problem with social/ pragmatic language. Following a conversation, replying to questions, greetings. I brought him to a SALT who assessed him and said his grammar and vocabulary are on par with his peers. His issue is with pragmatic language. I have his name on a waiting list for a full psychological assessment.
I'm just wondering has anyone experienced this ? What help did you get? And did your child develop better ability in this area?

@Twinlifey My son has the same issues, though a bit younger. How is your son doing now? Did things improve?

@needhopeandluck he has improved a small bit in responding to basic questions but would remain the same about abstract things. I think his understanding has improved a lot. His assessment will be coming up soon so I'm really hoping it brings more clarity to what is going on and how we can help him.

@Twinlifey Has your son had issues with receptive language? My son does and obviously no one can tell me what the future holds and when things will improve? Has your son been diagnosed with any condition? I am constantly worrying about ASD.

@needhopeandluck No, he hasn't had an assessment yet. I did a private speech therapy assessment and she said that his vocab and grammar was where it should be. His problem area is pragmatics - so greetings, conversation etc.
I'm worried about his future but not necessarily a diagnosis of ASD- there are so many manifestations of ASD that it really makes the future no more brighter or bleaker
I work with students who are diagnosed and some of them you could not tell and others it severely impacts them so you or I will still be none the wiser even if ASD is diagnosed. It might mean we can get support which is what he needs.

@Twinlifey I guess if we are afraid of ASD is a form of it that impacts the child's life...like not being able to make friends or not being able to go to a mainstream school. Or at least those are my worries...
Did the SALT recommend anything that could help with pragmatics?

Yes, that's the worry. Not knowing how they will develop. She said to look at picture books and talk about what was happening in them, tell the story rather than read it, with him. She wasn't very good with him and he wasn't able to sit and listen and participate in activities with her so I didn't go back. She didn't try to get on his level either. No toys in the room. Sat there when he wouldn't engage and made no effort.

@Twinlifey does not sound like she tried her best. The one we saw was amazing...really pure chance..we only went to see her bc she is the wife of someone I work with. She got down to his level and got him to say things I had no idea he could. Which made me realise the nursery is rubbish and they are doing the least they can and also undervalue his skills.

@needhopeandluck did she give you any inclination of what she thought was happening with your son? Or anything to try to help him progress?
Yes,I was really annoyed about that SLT experience.

@Twinlifey she confirmed what I already suspected, that he has a severe receptive language delay. She suggested reading books and describe the images; and singing nursery rhymes and letting him fill in the blanks. I would say it helped.

In the meantime, as his vocabulary has improved I realised that he has an issue with the pragmatic use of language. He uses words to describe things, but not to request. He rarely says or waves goodbye and he only said hello out of context.
So we will need to see the SALT again and see what she suggests.