An excellent recent thread on Autism Related Terminology started by B and joined in by many fine members of our community has prompted this post.
The post highlighted to me just how important the meaning of words is to myself and perhaps others autistic people.
Maybe word meaning is so important because, as is frequently reported, autistic people often demonstrate difficulties in the communicative use of language compared with neurotypical standards.
A quick internet search reveals scientific studies finding that autistic children exhibit significant difficulties in pragmatics,
"Pragmatic language refers to how people use language to communicate with one another. Being able to use language in different ways for different purposes and interpret how others use language in social situations is an important skill."
A really simple way of understanding this is presented in a way that really made sense to me is in this Source What Is Pragmatic Language? - Child Mind Institute
The good person on the video really makes a key point to me about it being how we use language, how it is said and done. and that it might be taught.
Reflection on my own behaviour and other people who I know to be autistic points towards problems with pragmatic language continue well into adulthood.
Hehe maybe and old dog like me can learn new tricks!
Any thoughts on this good people?
