Semantic Pragmatic Disorder

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Also known as Dyspraxia in the UK, where I was diagnosed. I was not really treated or anything after the age of six (I had moved to the US, in a small town where no one really knew about it), so whatever issues I had with it I had to figure out. I mean, I probably have "grown out of it" but I just want to talk to others who have it and get their input on it. What are the symptoms that you have had? What kind of treatment, medication, therapy, etc. have you had to undergo? Do you cope with it, and how? How do specialists understand SPD; did they seem to have an understanding of it?
How would I know that I fall into this category...or how should I go about finding out that I do still have it, and probably need to have this looked into?

Some specifics: Do you have problems focusing? This is something I really have issues with. I really have a hard time focusing on a task, and I have to give myself many mental steps before I embark on something. I make to-do lists galore before I start on something.
Also, this is something I'm getting better with, but struggled with for a long time: reading. It took me a long time to just sit and read things, and let the words sink in, how to read something and not obsess over that phrase that just won't register. I reada ton of fiction when I was younger, but...I dunno, I went through a huge gap where reading was f*****g tourture, which I hated because I loved to read at one point, and now I'm finally back into it!
Did you start reading at a young age? Talking at a later age? I started reading and talking at age 4. What a big year, I guess! lol

I mean, just tell me about yourself. I'm kind of going all over the place here, lol. If you want to give me a very detailed autobiography and don't want to post it on here, you can message me and I will keep it private. I love hearing about people and this is something that I know will help me, because I never knew anyone who could relate to this, really.
So, this is just something I feel like I need to understand more for personal reasons, and I would very much so appreciate your input.

Hi There,
I used to be a speech pathologist but I am now having an extended break due to illness (Bipolar disorder). I practiced for four years.
I understand semantic-pragmatic disorder to be a disorder of language, in particular vocabulary and meaning (semantics) and in the appropriate use of language socially (pragmatics). Other aspects of language such as grammar and syntax are relatively intact.
What this means practically is that someone might use a grammatically correct sentence inappropriately, for example, coming up to school friends and saying "How do you do?" which is overly formal for the situation. This may also include interpreting things literally without taking into consideration the context. Or they may be weak in vocabulary. Aspies often have difficulty with these aspects of language, but have other differences as well.

What I understand by the term 'dyspraxia' is that it is a disorder of movement, particularly in planning movement, which may exist in any or all parts of the body, and may result from developmental differences such as autism or in adults as the result of a stroke or brain injury.
Dyspraxia of speech I understand to be difficulty coordinating and programming the muscles for speech production. The person knows the words to say but they have poor control over their lips and tongue etc. It may range from complete apraxia (no speech) to a mild difficulty in articulation.
As far as I know (I am from Australia) semantic-pragmatic disorder is an entirely different communication issue from dyspraxia, and although terminology does differ from place to place I doubt it would differ so much as to confuse these two very different diagnoses.

I recommend consulting a currently practicing speech pathologist who can give you an accurate and up to date diagnosis if you are experiencing any difficulties in communication, speech or language and in reading and writing as well. They will almost certainly be able to help you with therapy exercises and strategies.

Speech pathologists study brain and head and neck anatomy and physiology, linguistics, and psychology. they also study normal communication across the lifespan as well as all kinds of communication disorders. Mine was a highly competitive four year bachelor degree but in other countries it is a masters degree - in any case the graduates are of a high calibre and they must like to help people since the pay is not very good! What speech pathologists are great at is really understanding different kinds of communication difficulties in the context of the individual and their community.

What you can expect is for the speech pathologist to take your case history and develop a rapport with you. They may administer a range of standardised and non-standardised assessments of your communication and language skills. It helps to take someone with you who knows you well. The next session they will work with you to develop some goals to work on. There will most certainly be homework.

To start I suggest you look up your national peak body for speech pathology - in the USA it is ASHA. Hope this helps. If you cannot afford speech therapy you can still work on your communication skills if you want to through reading and practice.