Table 1.

DSM-5 Social (pragmatic) communication disorder inclusionary and exclusionary criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Diagnostic criteria	Notes
Inclusionary
A. Persistent difficulties in social use of verbal and nonverbal communication in the following: Deficits in communication for social purposes Impairment in the ability to change communication to match context or needs of the listener Difficulties of following rules for conversation or storytelling Difficulties of understanding what is not explicitly stated and nonliteral or ambiguous meanings of language	All four must be present
B. Deficits result in functional limitations in effective communication, social participation, social relationships, academic achievement or occupational performance	May occur individually or combined
C. Onset of symptoms is in the early developmental period	Deficits may not manifest until social communication demands exceed capacity
Exclusionary
D. Symptoms are not attributable to another medical or neurological condition or to low abilities in the domain of word structure and grammar and are not better explained by autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, global developmental delay or another mental disorder.