Social Communication Disorders in Childhood: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Assessment and Intervention
A special issue of Languages (ISSN 2226-471X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 December 2025 | Viewed by 46
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cognitive and linguistic development and disorder; speech–language pathology; interprofessional practice
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: AI in education; blended learning; digital learning for development; women in STEM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Social communication, the ability to use language in socially appropriate ways across contexts, is a foundational component of children’s cognitive and linguistic development. Social communication disorder (SCD), formally recognised in the DSM-5 in 2013, has emerged as a distinct diagnostic category that intersects the domains of speech–language pathology, developmental psychology, and education. Despite increasing recognition, the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of SCD remain complex, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse populations. The field has seen growing interest in understanding how to differentiate SCD from overlapping conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and developmental language disorder, and how to deliver responsive and effective interventions through interprofessional collaboration.
This Special Issue aims to advance knowledge on childhood social communication disorders through a multidisciplinary lens. It invites contributions that explore the cognitive, linguistic, behavioural, and contextual dimensions of SCD, including early identification, culturally responsive assessment tools, and innovations in therapy, particularly those that involve interdisciplinary or interprofessional practice.
We welcome original research, reviews, clinical case studies, and implementation science papers that investigate cutting-edge methods, such as AI-based tools, telehealth platforms, or school-based interventions. Contributions from speech–language pathology, education, psychology, and paediatrics are particularly encouraged to promote integrated, evidence-based practices across global contexts.
Dr. Weifeng Han
Dr. Tianchong Wang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Languages is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- social communication disorder
- cognitive and linguistic development
- interprofessional practice
- speech–language pathology
- childhood language disorders
- culturally responsive assessment
- global paediatric health
- inclusive communication
- developmental language disorder
- telepractice in communication therapy
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