Functional use of language in social contexts. Pragmatics refers to the underpinnings of conversation: how something is said, the intentions of the speaker, the relationship of the participants, and the cultural expectations of the exchange

Visit the website socialthinking.com for resources related to improving social communication skills.

Everyday Speech has videos which teach a variety of social/pragmatic language skills. This site requires a subscription, but they offer a free trial. You can find some of their videos on youtube, especially on conversation skills and understanding another person's point of view.

Social express is site offering animated videos and lessons in social skills, and requires a subscription.

The following books can help with developing early perspective taking skills:

• "Duck, Rabbit!"
• "They All Saw a Cat"
• "Daft Bat"

Have your child try drawing a picture of what the world would look like to an ant, or whale, or giraffe, etc. You can draw a picture from the perspective of an animal as well, and discuss why you included the details that you added to your drawing.

Work on using the "smart guess tools" (eyes, ears, heart, and brain- "What do you see?," "What do you hear?," "How do you feel?," "What do you know about what you see, hear, or feel?") to read social situations in pictures, books, and movies.

Have an idiom (i.e. "It's raining cats and dogs," "She has a green thumb, " "I'm all ears.") of the day. Explain what it means, and have everyone in the family try fitting it into conversation throughtout the day.