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Social Pragmatic Language Services

A Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SPCD) is characterized by persistent difficulties in the use of verbal and nonverbal communication for social purposes. As Speech-Language Pathologists at PASTS, we assess and treat individuals with SPCD by focusing on their ability to use language effectively in different social contexts.
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Characteristics of SPCD

Individuals with SPCD struggle with:

  • Using language for different social purposes (e.g., greeting, requesting, informing).
  • Adapting language based on context (e.g., speaking differently to a child vs. an adult, using formal vs. informal language).
  • Following conversational rules (e.g., taking turns, staying on topic, understanding when and how to change topics).
  • Understanding nonliteral language (e.g., sarcasm, humor, metaphors).
  • Interpreting nonverbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice).
  • Building and maintaining relationships due to communication breakdowns.

Assessing SPCD

PASTS uses a variety of assessment means for determining SPCD. Assessment involves a combination of standardized tests, observational measures, and parent/teacher reports to evaluate a child’s social communication skills. Common tools include, but are not limited to:
  • Pragmatic Language Observation Scales (to assess communication in real-life contexts).
  • Test of Pragmatic Language (TOPL-2) (measuring social communication abilities).
  • Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC-2) (evaluating pragmatic language skills).
  • Informal assessments such as structured conversations, role-playing, and dynamic assessment of social interactions.

Treatment Approaches for SPCD

Treatment at PASTS is individualized based on the child’s age, strengths, and challenges. Effective approaches include:

Explicit Teaching of Social Communication Skills

  • Role-playing and social scripts to practice greetings, turn-taking, and topic maintenance.
  • Visual supports (e.g., social stories, conversation maps) to reinforce appropriate interactions.

Perspective-Taking and Theory of Mind Training

  • Activities that teach individuals how to understand others’ thoughts, emotions, and intentions.

Video Modeling & Peer-Mediated Interventions

  • Watching videos of appropriate social interactions to learn new skills.
  • Encouraging social engagement with peers through structured play or conversation groups.

Group Therapy for Social Skills

  • Practicing communication skills in a supportive group setting to improve real-world interactions.

Parent Training

  • Providing strategies for caregivers and educators to reinforce social communication in daily activities.

Technology-Assisted Interventions

  • Using apps and games designed to enhance pragmatic language and social interaction.
Since SPCD affects academic success, peer relationships, and daily interactions, early intervention is key to improving long-term communication outcomes. Treatment requires a collaborative approach involving speech therapists, educators, psychologists, and families to ensure progress in multiple environments.
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How To Get Started

Consultation

If you have questions about speech-language symptoms, please contact us today to speak directly with a speech-language pathologist for guidance.

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Call us today for an online link to our intake forms.

Get Started

As soon as you complete your intake form, we will contact you to set up your first appointment. 

Client Testimonials

"I can't thank Laura / PA Speech Therapy enough. In around two months, my child's lisp was resolved! Our experience far exceeded my expectations. My child loved working with Laura whose kind and gentle demeanor was instantly disarming. I loved Laura's professionalism and expertise. The results speak for themselves! Thank you, Laura."
-A.O.
"I wholeheartedly recommend Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services, Inc. to anyone in need of top-tier speech therapy in San Jose, CA. Their commitment to excellence, personalized approach, and exceptional results truly make them the best in the business. Choosing Peninsula Associates is an investment in your or your loved one's speech and communication skills, and I am grateful for the positive impact they have made."
- T.M.
"I am very happy with Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy in San Jose. Karter is an AMAZING speech therapist! She is great with my son. She is always happy to see us, thrilled with my son's progress & understanding when there is a lull. The office is clean & organized. Other staff are welcoming & pleasant to talk to. I'm so grateful for the consistent therapy and support my son & I get from Karter at Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services."
-S.K.
"Highly recommend Peninsula Associates! My kid’s communication skills have grown so much thanks to knowledgeable, kind, and hard working SLPs at Peninsula Associates. As a parent, staff is super easy to communicate and reliable to work together"
- Y.C.
"We have 3-year-old twins with speech delays and have seen a tremendous improvement since we began seeing Heather at Peninsula Associates. The boys love going every week and think of it as “play time with Miss Heather.” I appreciate that each of my twins are getting 1:1 time and attention for their unique needs and learning styles. After every session we get detailed feedback on each boy’s progress and actionable goals to work with them on at home. This practice is highly professional and accommodating. I highly recommend them."
- K.V.
"We have been with Peninsula Associates for a few months now and absolutely love the service we are getting. Our daughter is making so much progress and Melanie has been incredible with her! We would definitely recommend their services."
- R.M.
"We have worked with Laura Adams from Peninsula Associates for several years and have come to rely on her speech and language services. Her collaboration with Santa Cruz Montessori has been sensitive to our families' and school's needs, reliable, professional, and relevant, and we can whole-heartedly recommend her."
- J.T.
"Our son has been coming to Mrs. Caserta, for the past year and some change, and in that time, we can really see the difference from when he first came in to now, Mrs. Caserta is just fun, kind, friendly, and just a very likable (person/therapist) in general. Our son loves her, and we would gladly recommend her to everyone who needs her services. She is a very determined therapist who always thinks outside the box to make sure our son gets the help he needs."
-Private Client
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FAQs

faq

Newborns with congenital problems may have communication-related needs from birth, and a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is part of a neonatal multidisciplinary team. We often work with infants and toddlers at an early age (12-24 months) in areas such as swallowing and feeding, hearing and listening, oral-motor and speech, and attention and socialization.

You don’t necessarily know for sure. A speech-language pathologist can help you answer this question. Some indicators that might lead you to seek a consultation or screening are:
  • The child’s skills are immature compared to others in his playgroup or preschool.
  • Family members or friends alert you to differences that they observe.
  • The child’s developmental pattern is unusual compared to others his age.
  • There is a family history of speech, language, or learning problems.
  • There have been health issues, such as ear infections, which can impact communication.
A fully qualified speech-language pathologist must have a master’s degree from an accredited program, maintain a California speech pathology license, and hold a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Many of our staff also have experience and advanced training in specialty areas.

Peninsula Associates has several talented clinicians with different specializations. Our director of operations will identify which speech-language pathologist is available and appropriate for a new client. Most clients are seen 2-4 weeks after the paperwork has been completed. There is sometimes a waiting period if a new children’s group is being formed, but we may see the new child individually in the interim.

PASTS, Inc. offers both private-pay and fee-for-service practice and we are an in-network provider for a growing number of insurance carriers. We also have close relationships with Sutter Health, Lucille Packard, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation pediatricians, specialists, and clinicians. We can often obtain single-case agreements with other Insurance to access speech therapy benefits for your particular health insurance plan. Please contact our office to see how we can help you access your insurance benefits.