Practical Speech Therapy treats Gestalt Language Processors using the Natural Language Acquisition approach! We treat children and adults and we've seen huge progress!
What is Gestalt Language Processing?
Gestalt language processing is a natural way of developing and expressing language with predictable stages. Most if not all autistic individuals learn language this way! Neurotypical individuals can also be gestalt language processors! They process language as a whole chunk or script. For example, they process the phrase "I love you" as one whole meaning. They don't quite understand "I" means self, "love" means to care for someone or something, and "you" means the person you are referring to. They start out focused on intonation and not words. They hear the melody of the language we use and communicate using language they hear others (or media) often with the same intonation of the original speaker, which also holds the meaning of the experience for them. There are six stages and eventually, these children can get to original, flexible language just like analytic language processors. Gestalt language processors need different language support, because they process language differently.
Signs of a Gestalt Language Processor:
Repeats lines from movies or TV shows
Difficulty answering questions
Labeled as echolalic
Speech is rich in intonation
In contrast, the way to develop language most people are familiar with is called analytic language development. This is when babies start babbling and then use words, combine words, and then make sentences, and in due course, toddlers and preschoolers start to have conversations.
The treatment approach that best supports this language style is called Natural Language Acquisition. It is a systematic way of looking at natural language development from echolalia to self-generated language. In other words, we help the speaker move from repeating whole lines/chunks of language to mixing and matching new phrases and then eventually to using language in a more flexible way with a variety of sentence structures to express themselves in a meaningful way.
Tips for working with a Gestalt Language Processor when using the Natural Language Acquisition approach:
Listen to what they are saying and be their communication partner.
Affirm, nod, and repeat back what they are saying. This approach believes echolalia communicates something whether that's requesting, commenting, sharing joy, or self-regulating.
Try to investigate what you think the script means.
Make comments and say phrases like you think they would say them rather than asking questions. For example: say "Let's go to the movies" instead of "Do you want to go to the movies?"
Play or do what they want to play and how they want to play. This is called child-led (or person-led for adults) therapy.
While it's best to use the Natural Language Acquisition approach early, it's never too late! Practical Speech Therapy has seen amazing progress with adults using this approach. Stay tuned for an interview with an adult who recently started this type of therapy and has made huge communication gains! The results are invaluable!
Toys and activities that Practical Speech has used in the past with children and adult Gestalt Language Processors:
Magnatiles
Drawing on white-erase boards or paper
Letters and numbers
Playhouses and little figurines
YouTube videos of interest
Textured balls and mats
Swings
Crash Pads
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