Gestalt Langauge Processing
Understanding Your Child’s Language Profile
Signs your child may be a Gestalt Language Processor
“My child repeats TV shows word for word”
“My child echoes everything but won’t
answer questions”
“Why does my child keep saying the
same sentences?”
“My child memorises entire books
and repeats them”
“My child hasn’t responded to speech therapy”
“My child repeats everything from movies”
“My child just speaks in movie quotes”
If these sound familiar, your child may be showing characteristics of Gestalt Language Processing
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What is Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)?
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ANALYTICAL LANGUAGE PROCESSORS
‘Word Babies’
Start with small units, then combine them to form more complex language over time. Below is an example of language development for ‘Word Babies’:
BALL
|
red + BALL
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GIve + ME + The + BALL
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Let’s + Get + THE + BALL + and + play + Together
GESTALT
LANGUAGE PROCESSORS
‘Intonation Babies’
Start with scripts with recognised emotional meaning, then break them down into chunks and eventually single words. The script below shows how GLPs’ communication can develop over time:
“ANDY’S COMING! HIDE THE TOYS!” + “Let’s go outside”
An emotional moment from Toy Story 2 that became meaningful for the child
|
“Let’s go” + “HIDE THE TOYS!”
|
“TOYS” , “outside”
|
i hided* the toys
*Incorrect grammar shows the child is learning to put words together independently
|
Let’s + GO + Outside + And
+ Play + with + tOYS
Using flexible, self-generated language like their peers
Supporting Gestalt Language
Processing at BIBIVOX
I am trained to use the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) Protocol to model and teach stage-appropriate language. This therapy approach honours this language processing profile while supporting your child's journey towards flexible, self-generated language.
Stage-Appropriate THERAPy
Stage-appropriate language modelling using language from the child's perspective
Rich, varied language models provided during joyful and interest-based activities
Declarative and inclusive language before demanding questions
Following child's interests and play preferences
CHILD-LED, Relationship-Focused
Building authentic connection through shared enjoyment and interests
Allowing for silence and time rather than prompting
Honouring all communication attempts including scripts and immediate echolalia
Creating sensory-supportive environments for optimal linguistic access
Family Education & SUPPORT
Understanding your child's natural communication development
Learning to interpret what scripts might mean
Reducing questioning and increasing responsive commenting
Supporting language modelling in daily routines and activities
BIBIVOX provides access to
GLP-informed services
Your child's echolalia and scripting represent meaningful language and communication attempts deserving of our understanding and support.
If you would like to support your child's communication development with best practice approaches - contact BIBIVOX today for your comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming language assessment.
WHEN TO SEEK this THERAPy approach
Children using delayed echolalia (echoing phrases long after the fact) or scripting
Children who use long unintelligible strings of sentences
Children whose language is intonationally rich and melodic (and may be borrowed from media)
Some autistic children whose communication seems "stuck" at the single-word level
Children who have not responded to traditional speech therapy approaches and have plateaued in their progress
Families seeking neurodiversity-affirming intervention
What Families Can Expect from this Therapy approach
Comprehensive language sampling assessment (not standardised testing)
Parent interviews to help investigate and identify the origin of the scripts and “hidden” meaning
Stage identification and developmentally appropriate goal setting
Play-based, child-led therapy sessions
Extensive parent training and home strategy development
Celebration of your child's unique communication journey
COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT GLP
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Absolutely not.
What some may interpret as "meaningless repetition" or “jargon” can actually be scripts (or delayed echolalia) which are indicators that your child is working in the first stage of gestalt language development according to the Natural Language Acquisition Protocol. Your child is communicating in language chunks that are tied to emotional experiences. We honour and build on these communication attempts by understanding the intent and modelling language from a joint perspective. -
Scripts are meaningful communication attempts that show your child is processing complex language. A speech pathologist works with families to investigate and understand what scripts might mean and how to honour them while moving them to develop more flexible language.
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Never.
Echolalia and scripting are the first stage of natural language development for GLPs. Acknowledging your child’s scripts, or even just responding with “OK,” is often the most helpful way to support them as their main communication partner. -
There are so many ways we can communicate! Natural speech is just one way. Our goal is to promote and nurture language that meets your child’s communication needs whether through natural speech or by using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (or both!).
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Children who process language in language chunks (or gestalts) can develop complex and flexible language when supported through the stages of of Natural Language Acquisition. Many children grow to develop complex grammar while maintaining their unique processing strengths.
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Traditional language therapy can often target skills out of developmental sequence for GLPs. NLA approaches provide stage-appropriate support that follows natural progression, leading to more meaningful and affirming communication development.
