An Introduction to Gestalt Language Processing
Are you curious about Gestalt Language Processing and its impact on language development? Understanding how individuals process language can profoundly affect their ability to communicate, which is why it's essential to recognize different language processing styles. In this blog post, we will dive into the basics of Gestalt Language Processing, a style of language acquisition that prioritizes holistic learning and overall understanding rather than individual words and phrases. We'll explore natural language acquisition, how to recognize if your child is a Gestalt Language Processor, unique neurodiverse perspectives, and tips to support Gestalt Language Processors at home.
Two Language Development Styles
Did you know there are two ways children can develop language? What we typically think of when babies are learning to speak is analytic language processing. These children learn to communicate by babbling, then moving on to words, two-word combinations, phrases, sentences, and eventually conversation while developing grammar.
That’s not the only way, though! Other children learn through gestalt language processing. For these children, their basic units of language may be words, phrases, or complete sentences. Their language focuses on intonation, the rise, and fall of the voice in speaking, and on the social interaction of language. Both language development styles are normal and can result in natural language.
Gestalt Language Development
A Gestalt Language Processor (GLP) starts speaking by using echolalia and scripting in phrases that hold larger meanings, called gestalts. As these children learn and grow, they are then able to break those phrases up and eventually develop grammar.
Echolalia is the immediate or delayed repetition of language. Scripting is the repetition of words, phrases, or sounds from other people’s speech, including from music, movies, and tv shows. It “is sometimes used synonymously with echolalia, but can also refer to the use of learned chunks of language as a consciously applied communication strategy.” (Karen Evans, MA, CCC-SLP “Let’s give them something to gestalt about”)
When talking about language development, a gestalt (guhSHTALT) is a phrase, complete sentence, or word that holds a larger meaning for them and usually is intonationally defined. Within psychology, it refers to processing information as a whole that’s more than the sum of its parts. These phrases, or gestalts, are often from a meaningful experience and should not be taken literally. The child may have learned a gestalt in a specific instance that is now used to communicate with us the meaning that they assigned to their gestalt. For example, A child ate “peas and carrots” for dinner and got sick. Now they use the phrase “peas and carrots” to mean “I’m sick.”
For more about the difference between analytic and gestalt language processing, check out the article Two Types of Language Development on the Meaningful Speech site.
How do I know if my child is a Gestalt Language Processor?
Please keep in mind that not all of these may apply to your child, but they are still signs of gestalt processing that you should be aware of.
Does your child …
Have no "words" but hums or sings songs?
Seems especially drawn to music?
No "words" but the intonation sounds like something someone said?
Study and replay media like books, TV shows, songs, and movies?
Use phrases from movies and shows to communicate emotions?
Use the same phrase over and over again? (Echolalia/Scripting)
Mix up their pronouns or speak in the third person?
Have "stuck" single words, and has trouble combining them with other words?
For more information about some of these signs, check out this blog post by our friends at And Next Comes L, “Signs That Your Child is a Gestalt Language Processor.”
Natural Language Acquisition
Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) is a framework developed for gestalt language processors by speech-language pathologist Marge Blanc. NLA is used to guide speech therapists, other professionals, and parents in helping a child move from echolalia to self-generated, original, and flexible language.
Stages of Natural Language Acquisition
As described in Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: A Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language, there are six stages of language development among gestalt language processors.
Stage 1: Delayed Echolalia
Scripts that can include whole phrases or single words and/or intonational strings of language
Example: “The wheels on the bus go round and round”; “Look”
Stage 2: Mix & Match
In this stage, the child starts to mitigate their gestalts and they experiment with taking parts of gestalts and combining with other gestalts.
Example: “Look + wheels on the bus”
Stage 3: Single Words & Two Word Combinations
In stage 3, a single word is free from the script, can be used referentially (that is, the word can be referred to and is typically pointed at rather than just used in the script), and can be used in a new 2-word combination. This is the stage when a child begins to use their own natural language.
Example: “Dog” → “Look, dog!”
Stages 4/5/6: Development of Grammar
In the last three stages, a child is creating original phrases and sentences. They are beginning to learn to use grammar. This can result in “bad grammar,” which is appropriate and something to celebrate! The child puts together those freed single words from stage 3 to make novel phrases and sentences.
Example: “Running dog!” “Look that dog.”
Gestalt Language Processing & Neurodiversity
While Gestalt language processing does not necessarily equal Autism, Autistic individuals often use echolalia. This communication has often been regarded as meaningless versus meaningful. “Historically, echolalia has been described as meaningless and without communicative function. However, a growing body of research has identified various communicative functions of echolalia (e.g., turn-taking, labeling, requesting, affirming, and protesting) and has suggested its role in gestalt language acquisition.” (“Echolalia and Its Role in Gestalt Language Acquisition” ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).
Echolalia has been treated in the past with the idea that we should ignore these communication attempts or get rid of them entirely. We now know that these echolalic phrases are communication attempts. We need to acknowledge these attempts to communicate. Typical therapy would ignore these scripts and try to work on something different. By not acknowledging these communication attempts, withdrawal behaviors, avoidance, and frustration can occur.
Supporting Your Gestalt Language Processor
For parents of children with difficulty communicating and using echolalia, start by letting your child lead in play, acknowledging their communication whether it is via echolalia or jargon, and then if your child isn’t responding to traditional speech therapy or progress is slow with an analytic language approach, find a clinician trained in natural language acquisition using gestalt language processing.
Gestalt language processors are NOT going to follow a standard developmental milestone chart and will need time to grow. Echolalia and scripts require a bit of investigation work on the parent’s part. You can start by asking yourself when and where did your child first start using certain scripts? Watch their movies and videos with them to understand the social and emotional context of their gestalts. These children are skilled at understanding the context of the phrases they use and are trying to communicate that social and emotional state with you.
Gestalts to Model at Home
Children continually absorb the language they are exposed to. Use your child's scripted and echolalic phrases in various contexts. These expressions and words can be combined to demonstrate how language can be used to convey meaning. These phrases are useful for children as they start to move into stages 3 and 4 because they can be used in many situations and can be broken down and combined with many other phrases.
"Let's go!"
"What's next?"
"Time to ..."
There's the ...
We need ...
I'm ready ...
How about ...
We're going to ...
It's so ...
Quick Tips
Don’t ignore scripts and don’t try to get rid of them
Acknowledge what they say at least 50% of the time, whether or not you understand
Child-led play opens up an opportunity for you to step into their world, especially if you are neurotypical and need a window into their neurodiverse perspective
Record instances that can be related to your child’s gestalt. This helps professionals later on in their detective work.
Model new gestalts that will be helpful when a child starts mitigating
Use lots of sensory supports
Trying adding more singing and music to your days
Seek professionals that are trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA).
What does an NLA Trained Speech-Language Pathologist do differently?
Speech-language therapy with an SLP that understands NLA can help your child begin to generate their own novel phrases and sentences!
Child Led
Speech therapy with an NLA-trained SLP may look different than traditional therapy. For example, your therapist will likely use child-led therapy. “Child-led therapy is all about following a child's interests and allowing them to lead in your sessions. Rather than going into sessions with an adult-directed agenda, we enter the child’s world of play. Children will gravitate toward what they enjoy or what their body needs (jumping, crashing, etc). This means sessions are intrinsically motivating and meaningful for the child.” (Alexandria Zachos, MS, SLP-CCC “What is child-led therapy?”)
Time and Space
The therapist will give your child time and space to be comfortable and use spontaneous communication. This allows the therapist to collect language samples, an important part of understanding what stage your child is in, what gestalts they are using, and understanding what those gestalts may mean. Because each child is so different, this takes time. Your child’s therapist will need more frequent language samples to evaluate which stages of gestalt processing the child is in and will do a lot of detective work to know “where” and “why” the child uses those scripts.
Parent Coaching
Speech therapy for GLPs is a collaborative partnership between the speech therapist, the child, and the parents. Your involvement as a parent is an essential part of supporting your child’s language acquisition. The SLP will need your help in identifying and understanding your child’s gestalts. They can then help you know how to communicate with and support your child at home and in the community.
Sensory Supports
All children communicate best in a supportive environment. Allowing children to lead in choosing sensory experiences that appeal to them will encourage them to communicate. Then the speech therapist and parent can comment, narrate, and make observations about the sensory play. Your child’s speech therapist may use obstacle courses, sensory bins, swings, trampolines, and music to support joyful communication in the session. You can use these things at home too!
When it is feasible, NLA-trained speech therapists collaborate closely with occupational therapists to understand sensory needs. The majority of neurodivergent kids require sensory support. Language movement frequently only occurs when we engage the whole child, including their body. To deliver high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming services, it is essential to understand sensory needs and how to cater to them throughout sessions.
Finding an NLA-Trained Speech-Language Pathologist
If you have questions about your child’s speech and language skills and acquisition, please seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist for a professional opinion.
When you find a trained clinician who understands how to work with children who communicate with delayed echolalia it will help open up a world of spontaneous and natural communication for children who communicate with delayed echolalia. At Better Learning Therapies, we are proud to have a team of speech-language pathologists who are familiar with the Natural Language Acquisition approach and can work with you and your child.
Better Learning Therapies provides speech-language, feeding, physical and occupational therapies to children and their families. We want to partner with you on the journey from diagnosis to progress. You’re not alone!
Give us a call today at 801-217-3390 to experience therapy on YOUR level!
Learn More
Podcasts
SLP Coffee Talk Episode 128: What Is Gestalt Language Processing (And How Does It Look for the Older Students)?! with Alexandria Zachos
Learn Play Thrive Episode 40. Delayed Echolalia & Gestalt Language Processors with Alexandria Zachos
Instagram
YouTube
Lunch and Learn (Nov) - Empowering Communication through Echolalia
Marge Blanc: Making Sense of Echolalia: It’s All About Language Development!
Websites
Michelle’s Note: While I put together this final version, Emily Rankin, Heather Amann, Jordyn Heyn, and Ashley Bonkofsky, all contributed to the blog post and to helping me better understand and support my son, who is a gestalt language processor.
