"He's super verbal, but… something's off."

If you've ever heard that from a parent or teacher, you may be looking at a pragmatic language concern — one that standard articulation or vocabulary tests won't catch.

Pragmatic language — the use of language in social contexts — is often the missing link in evaluations. And when left unassessed, it can lead to misdiagnosis, missed services, or unmet social-emotional needs.

In this post, we'll break down:

• What pragmatic language includes
• Red flags that indicate a pragmatic assessment may be needed
• Which tools to use (and how to explain them)
• How to document findings clearly in your report

What Is Pragmatic Language?

Pragmatics refers to how we use language to:

• Initiate and maintain conversations
• Understand and follow social rules
• Use tone, body language, and eye contact appropriately
• Take turns, stay on topic, and repair breakdowns

It's not about what a child says — it's about how, when, and why they say it.

Common Red Flags for Pragmatic Language Issues

You might consider assessing pragmatics if a child:

• Dominates conversations or struggles to take turns
• Uses overly formal or awkward language with peers
• Avoids or misreads nonverbal cues
• Has difficulty making inferences or understanding sarcasm
• Doesn't initiate interactions, even when they have the language to do so
• Fails to adapt communication to different people or settings
• Seems disconnected during group work or play

In schools, these kids may fly under the radar — especially if they're verbal, bright, or well-behaved. But their social struggles often lead to isolation, frustration, or behavioral referrals.

Who Should Be Assessed?

Pragmatic language assessments are especially important for students with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (diagnosed or suspected)
• ADHD
• Social anxiety
• Selective mutism
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Unexplained peer difficulties despite good academic skills

How to Assess Pragmatics

There's no one perfect tool — a pragmatic assessment is usually multi-layered:

✅ Parent/Teacher Rating Scales

• Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS)
• Children's Communication Checklist–2 (CCC–2)
• Pragmatic Language Skills Inventory (PLSI)
• Social Language Development Test (SLDT)

These tools capture behaviors across settings and provide quantifiable data.

✅ Observations

Look for:

• Turn-taking
• Topic maintenance
• Nonverbal communication
• Ability to repair breakdowns

Try observing the child during recess, lunch, group work, or unstructured therapy games.

✅ Interviews and Language Samples

Ask the student open-ended questions like:

• "Tell me about a time you had to ask for help."
• "What would you do if someone cut in front of you in line?"

This helps you assess perspective-taking, flexibility, and social problem-solving.

What to Include in the Report

Because pragmatics are contextual, your clinical judgment carries extra weight here.

Your write-up should include:

• Standardized scores from any tools used
• Narrative summaries of observations
• Quotes or examples from interviews
• Teacher and parent input

And most importantly: link findings to real-world impact.

"While the student performs well academically, difficulty interpreting social cues may contribute to frequent peer conflicts and withdrawal during group activities."

How SLP Score Can Help

SLP Score supports over 60 assessments — including pragmatic tools like the CCC-2, SSIS, and SLDT. It lets you:

• Enter rating scale data and generate clean narrative summaries
• Embed observational data directly into the results section
• Write clear, family-friendly interpretations without starting from scratch

And when you're done? Export to Google Docs or Word in seconds — ready for your school, private practice, or insurance notes.

Pragmatic issues can't always be seen on paper — but they can be heard, felt, and supported. Let SLP Score help you assess the full picture. Get started here →