Can someone tell me what is the difference between Auditory proceesing disorder & Pragmatic language disorder ?

[Missisdoyle]

Hi, my son has a private SALT ( currently on waiting list for NHS help) diagnosis of PLI. Just wondered what the diff was... He also finds processing language difficult - well I think he does, but it's very difficult trying to ask him, with his difficulties. We are thinking of AIT as a treatment. Anyone had good experience of this ? Thanks.

Thank you for that comprehensive explanation Zzzzz . My son has difficulty with the pragmatic use of language & I think, understanding, or processing the information. Is it possible that he could have both ? I suppose it will be more apparent as he gets older (he will be 5 in Jan)). It's difficult to converse with him, as the ebb & flow of conversation seems to be alien to him. The things that he says can be very abstract & out of context. He has many autistic traits. I am wondering if AIT would help him. I am constantly looking for ways to help him & it is hard to get much info about PLI, as it seems to be a rare disorder.

Auditory processing is associated with hearing and processing of sounds.

SPD is a difficulty is successfully processing language and the structure of language.

Very simple definitions of course. But people can have poor auditory processing and good language skills. Auditory processing is nothing to do with being deaf.

Thanks to all for the explanations. I suppose if ds had problems with auditory processing of sounds, it would affect his ability to produce those sounds ( he is very articulate & has excellent pronunciation & word knowledge). His problems definitely lie with pragmatics & structure. I think it is because he is so bright ( he loves to recite his self taught times tables 1 -12 & has read well since 3.5. He is excellent at memorising fav bits of books/films), that we are still waiting for NHS help. He has 5 hours at the mo', 1 on 1 time with TA. We have sought the help of a private SALT, who comes into school twice a month( when we can afford it!) & his TA joins us for that lesson, which has really helped. It just seems that the NHS deem kids like my son unworthy of treatment, as they are so able in some areas. I have explained to the Paed ( we have had an introductory meeting with in Sept & will see her again in Feb, for follow up), this & that he has many difficulties with heightened anxieties, meltdowns, frustration, speech problems. I know he can communicate, & I am eternally grateful for all that he can do, but he cannot explain, he cannot converse etc...

zzzzz - I would have thought that was more higher level language comprehension

I have always (maybe wrongly) thought that 'semantics' referred to the structure of language (whether you can 'understand' the actual words that are being used) and that 'pragmatics' referred to the actual use of language expressed as behaviour. For example, the SALT first assessed Understanding Spoken Paragraphs and then Following Concepts and Directions to test understanding at a semantic level and then did a Pragmatics Profile (all CELF 4) which is about behaviour - i.e. Rituals and Conversational Skills, Asking For, Giving and Responding to Information and Nonverbal Communication Skills.

I also thought that Semantic Pragmatic Disorder was an 'old' diagnosis that was mostly given to girls who did not display in the same ways as boys and so did not meet the criteria for the triad of impairments but clearly had a language disorder. Hence DISCO etc - isn't this where Lorna Wing and Margo Sharp come into it?

Thanks for the realistic advice Zzzzz. I naively thought we were going down the NHS route to get NHS SALT/OT help ! I'm guessing if I can get DS extra TA time, it is still the way to go ?

Poltergoose, may I ask how old is your DS ? I'm impressed by your creative approach to this ! How did you go about teaching your DS the significance of animal behaviour ? I do indeed realise how difficult it is for DS to communicate & so I wouldn't want him to be more confused !

Keeponkeepingon1, yes, from what I can gather (I am new to this),SCD & PLI are old diagnosis. SCD is the US term, which does not come under the ASD umbrella.

Have any of you dabbled with AIT, dietary interventions or such like ? Have any of you tried video modelling with your DCs ? I really appreciate all your help, elsewhere it is so difficult to get info on this topic & I just want to help him in every way I can. His school are also very kind & supportive.

It all sounds very positive, which is just what I need to hear at the moment !Has your DS got adequate help from school ? Sorry for all the questions ! Does he get any NHS SALT help ?

Oh dear, it seems i have been presuming a bit too much ! I am really saddened to hear that people with ASD are not able to access a SALT ! I would have thought that would have been the main area that the NHS could offer help with ! If you don't mind me asking, does he get any NHS help ? I gather from what you & Zzzzz have posted, that the diagnosis route is purely for help at school. This discussion has been very illuminating ! I am glad you have all put me in the know - less disappointment on down the line. I still find it shocking that people with such diagnosis are observed, yet ignored, regarding treatment, by NHS !

I also think diagnosis would help my DS. The Ed Psych warned me against it, but I felt that she was not right. I think she thought that as DS is "HFA"(her term),that he'd be better off not being labelled. Also his Paed seemed to think we may not get a diagnosis, due to his HF. My point is that if his old nursery team, the Ed psychs, his new teacher /TAs, SENCO & our SALT all refer to him being Autistic, then he must be worthy of a diagnosis...

ZZZzz, what do you mean by legal protection & dentistry ( do you mean due to Ds' constant teeth grinding at night ?!).

I also think diagnosis would help my DS. The Ed Psych warned me against it, but I felt that she was not right. I think she thought that as DS is "HFA"(her term),that he'd be better off not being labelled. Also his Paed seemed to think we may not get a diagnosis, due to his HF. My point is that if his old nursery team, the Ed psychs, his new teacher /TAs, SENCO & our SALT all refer to him being Autistic, then he must be worthy of a diagnosis...

ZZZzz, what do you mean by legal protection & dentistry ( do you mean due to Ds' constant teeth grinding at night ?!).

oops..

Ah, I see. Forgive my ignorance but, I didn't know that there were such people as SN dentists - good to know these things.