Disordered Social Communication: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies
Social Communication Disorder (SCD), a condition that affects language, social communication, and understanding social norms in intellectually typical individuals, is less studied than related conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, insights can be drawn from research on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders to understand potential brain differences in SCD.
Brain Differences in SCD
While specific brain differences unique to SCD have not been clearly characterized, related neurodevelopmental disorders with social communication impairments show altered brain function and connectivity in regions related to social perception, language, and executive control.
For instance, studies on adults with autism have shown alterations in the lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC), a region important for visual processing of body parts and social cues, potentially impacting interpretation of body language and social intentions.
Individuals with SCD might also exhibit atypical patterns of brain connectivity, particularly in areas responsible for language processing, social cognition, and sensory integration. However, these differences may be less extensive compared to those observed in autism.
Treatment for SCD
Treatment for SCD focuses on helping a person develop social and communication skills and providing accommodations that make it easier for them to function. This can include assistive communication devices, communication training and support, social skills practice, culturally specific training, and behavioral interventions.
It's essential to approach treatment with a compassionate team, focusing on the needs and treatment goals of the person with SCD rather than attempting to force them to conform to the norms of the wider culture.
Symptoms of SCD
Individuals with SCD understand language but may have difficulty processing it or responding, either with speech or in a nonspeaking way. Symptoms in social contexts include trouble matching communication to the context, issues with understanding the rules of conversation, and difficulty understanding communication that is not literal and explicit.
Diagnosis of SCD is based on symptoms that affect language, social skills, and nonspeaking communication, which must appear in childhood, interfere with relationships or daily functioning, and not be due to another health condition.
Living with SCD
With the right treatment and support structures in place, people with SCD can have happy, fulfilling lives. Accommodating their unique needs is crucial for their well-being, particularly in areas such as communication, social relationships, and academic performance.
SCD does not have a cure, and research into how it develops and changes throughout a person's life is ongoing. However, with a better understanding of the condition, we can provide more effective support and accommodations for those affected by it.
[1] Baron-Cohen, S., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Lombardo, M. V. (2013). Understanding other minds: Perspectives from developmental social neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
[2] Just, M. A., & Keller, T. A. (2009). The neuroscience of social cognition. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 281-304.
[5] Klin, A., Jones, C. F., Schultz, R. T., Volkmar, F. R., & Cohen, D. J. (2005). A developmental behavioral neuroscience approach to autism spectrum disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(9), 925-936.
- In future studies, scientists may investigate potential brain differences in Social Communication Disorder (SCD) by exploring the same regions affected in neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), such as the lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC).
- The health-and-wellness community can support individuals with SCD by advocating for accessible resources that cater to their unique needs in areas like mental-health, language-processing, and sensory-integration, similar to the accommodations provided for those living with conditions like sickle cell anemia.
