| A
female
,
sharon 76
writes: Hello, I have been told that my son has a pragmatic sasmatic disorder?? [Editor's note - I think this is most likely "Semantic Pragmatic Disorder"]I wasn't given much info about it so i was wondering if anyone else has experiance with a child with the same .To me my son just a few problems learning and understanding things but to most people he just seems a wee bit imature. I hate the word normal but some family have said its a load of rubbish and theres nothing wrong with him.I'm a bit confused about it all, help!!!!!!!!!!!Sharon x Reply to this Question |
Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, clare h +, writes (28 November 2006):
Just dug out my notes as worked in a special needs school for a few years (in support) and recognised the term. Put simply its a disorder of comprehension (understanding)-"semantic" referring to "meaning", that is, difficulty in comprehending what they are experiencing, hearing, saying etc. "Pragmatic" I think refers to being very literal, not understanding/picking up social messages/meanings eg. cultural,that most of us understand automatically (eg."she's a smasher" (good looker) might interpret "she smashes things").There's alot more to it than that of course - I would think putting it into google would bring up factsheets which would give clear explanations. Also whoever diagnosed should provide you with information, as well as support group contacts (meeting other parents in the same boat is one of the best forms of support. It's no help to you to give a diagnosis without all the backup information - be a pest.
Many children with disorders can appear "normal" and people dispute they have a problem - this can be major hurdle (battling with ignorance etc) so its good to know what you are dealing with so you can also explain to other people (if they will listen). One thing I found was that immaturity was a common factor across all forms of learning difficulties - my theory is that there is impaired development in the brain linked to maturation in hand with whatever impairment (brain development) underlies the disorder.
I wonder who did the diagnosis, and what age your child is. You can request thorough assessments (psychological/speech and language/occupational therapy) to check out all your child's functioning and which gives official documentation of the condition which then has to be used eg. in school - if at school you write to request examination and assessment through your education authority (I guess start with your GP if under age). There are parent information agencies that can give you all the info on this and will be on the internet.
Be aware (I have 2 with learning difficulties, one now 20) that things become more of an issue as they grow up. As other kids develop you become more aware yours is not keeping up in whatever way (to say "flutterby" is cute when 3; not so at 13)and alot of this comes back to the maturity aspect. Bedwetting (particularly boys) is also really common throughout childhood (again linked to immature brain development I believe). I tell you this as it can be tough if you're not prepared - the sooner you know what you are really dealing with and how to tackle it, and what you are entitled to (schooling and therapies etc)the sooner you will have some control over how to help your child (and it can be tough out there for getting the support, so be prepared!)
Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask (and keep asking...)
|