What is the developmental social-pragmatic model?

The developmental social-pragmatic model is an approach to therapy that uses everyday interactions between caregivers and autistic children to promote communication. Parents and carers follow their children’s leads or interests and respond to children’s communication attempts.

The developmental social-pragmatic model isn’t a therapy for autistic children in itself, but it’s used as part of other autism therapies. These therapies include:

• DIR Floortime
• the More Than Words program
• PACT (Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy)
• the SCERTS Model.

Who is the developmental social-pragmatic model for?

The developmental social-pragmatic model is for autistic children.

What is the developmental social-pragmatic model used for?

The developmental social-pragmatic model is used to help autistic children start communication and engage in communication without being prompted.

Where does the developmental social-pragmatic model come from?

The developmental social-pragmatic model comes from research on communication development in typically developing children. Research on its use for autistic children has been growing since 2005.

What is the idea behind the developmental social-pragmatic model?

The developmental social-pragmatic model is based on developmental theory and research on interactions between typically developing children and their parents.

The key idea behind the developmental social-pragmatic model is that parents can improve the development of their child’s social communication through the way they respond when they’re interacting with their child.

This model values all attempts at communication to encourage children to keep communicating. This includes gestures, pictures, signs and speech, rather than only spoken words. The model also looks at the purpose of communication – that is, what children are trying to get out of communication and how parents can accurately respond.

What does the developmental social-pragmatic model involve?

Therapies using the developmental social-pragmatic model typically happen in a child’s home. Parents or other primary carers usually have a very active role in the therapy.

In a typical developmental social-pragmatic therapy, parents might set up an environment that interests the child, like a play area with the child’s preferred toys.

Parents then follow the child’s lead during play while creating opportunities for interaction. For example, parents might join in with the child’s favourite game and pause every now and then. This encourages their child to look, reach, gesture or speak to keep the game going. Parents also respond to every communication attempt and also model communication for their child.

Some developmental social-pragmatic therapies recommend using these strategies many times across the day during play and routines. This can take a lot of time and involve many hours a day. Depending on a child’s goals, this approach could go on for several years.

Does the developmental social-pragmatic model help autistic children?

Some research has shown that therapies using this model can have positive effects, particularly for early communication skills like joint attention and back-and-forth interaction.

Research also suggests that the model helps parents become more responsive when they’re interacting with their children.

Who uses the developmental social-pragmatic model?

Professionals involved in developmental social-pragmatic therapies might be speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, teachers and other professionals.

These professionals often receive specific training in the developmental social-pragmatic model.

Where can you find a developmental social-pragmatic therapist?

If you’re interested in the developmental social-pragmatic model, see your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child.

You could also talk about the developmental social-pragmatic model with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.

How are parents involved in the developmental social-pragmatic model?

If your child is using a developmental social-pragmatic therapy, you usually play a key role. You’ll work directly with a therapist to learn new ways of interacting with your child and then use these strategies with your child during everyday life. Sessions with therapists might be via telehealth or face to face.

How much does the developmental social-pragmatic model cost?

The cost of the developmental social-pragmatic model depends on the type of therapy it’s being used in.

You might be able to include the cost of developmental social-pragmatic therapies in your child’s NDIS plan. You can contact the NDIS to find out.

Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.