Disruption of pragmatics in adulthood

Abstract

Pragmatic disruption is associated with a range of acquired communication disorders, of both neurogenic and psychiatric origin. This chapter services as an overview of the issues raised in this the chapters which follow, by providing a brief overview of the main themes in the research with regards to pragmatic disruption in people with aphasia, right hemisphere language disorder, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s dementia, the non-Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease. These disorders are associated with particular patterns of pragmatic disruption, which have been in some cases been linked to disturbances in cognitive abilities, particularly related to Theory of Mind and Executive Function. Pragmatic strengths have typically been overshadowed by a focus on the pragmatic deficits in any given population, however it is argued that these strengths form a crucial component of the pragmatic presentation of any client or clinical group more generally. Pragmatic disorders have a pervasive impact the individual with the disorder as well as on those around them. Assessment and intervention in pragmatic disorders of adulthood must account for the profile of both pragmatic deficits and strengths, while considering the broader impact of the disorder on the individual and their social network.