Functional language- definition? -

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29 Sep 2020, 4:30 am

The ICD 11 talks about 'functional language' . I'm wondering how that differs from verbal ability. My social communication was assessed as being at classical autism level, but intellectually verbal intelligence is by far my greatest cognitive strength.

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Jiheisho
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29 Sep 2020, 10:11 am

This is from the ICD 11:

Quote:

...and there is marked impairment in functional language (spoken or signed) relative to the individual’s age, with the individual not able to use more than single words or simple phrases for instrumental purposes, such as to express personal needs and desires.

I think if you can communicate with people in a relatively usual way, then I think you have functional language. It seem to really be about being able to use language to navigate your environment. It seems with your verbal intelligence, you are easily beyond that bar.

The interesting thing is they include sign language, which means you don't have to be verbal.

Juliette
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29 Sep 2020, 11:33 am

Hi firemonkey - functional language as opposed to verbal ability ... you mentioned you were assessed as being at classical autism level so far as social communication goes. My thoughts are that this involves ability to adhere to the “rules” of accepted social communication involving the natural flow of give and take in conversation, the ability to offer support and thoughtful words when the conversation calls for it, not monopolising the conversation etc.

Verbal ability can be totally dysfunctional in spite of someone having a wide vocabulary. Often you’ll find that language used by certain autistic people who have greater challenges generally, can have entirely different meanings that require deciphering. eg. “Biscuit, biscuit” as said by a man severely affected, to his mother who was entertaining a friend, actually meant “Make him leave”. The adult son wanted the environment restored to normal, minus the intrusion of a visitor who was increasing this man’s anxiety as he didn’t belong in his home environment.

Last edited by Juliette on 29 Sep 2020, 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

firemonkey
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29 Sep 2020, 12:59 pm

^ ^^ Thanks for your replies

These are verbal tests done by an educational consultant and psychometrician .

The result of a test of social language at the 'Games with words' site.