TOP TIPS FOR SUPPORTING GESTALT LANGUAGE PROCESSORS

Gestalt Language Processing has been all the buzz in the speech therapy world for a over a year now. It is this idea that individuals learn language in chunks of words vs. single words (analytic processors). So it may look something like this…

Child finishes their art project and is really proud of their work:

Gestalt Language Processor may say “No Troll Left Behind” because in the movie Trolls ,when they say this quote they are really proud and start to cheer!

Analytic processor may say: “Look” or “Done” excited and ready to share their creation

Both ways of processing/learning language are relevant and important and if you talk to GLPs that are adults they will tell you it may not always be black and white in regards to how you process language.

So with that brief overview of language development, how do we support our gestalt language processors? We are going to talk about Stage 1 today. This is part of the Natural Language Acquisition framework developed by Marge Blanc. Stage 1 is the initial stage and consists of echolalia/scripting. Learn more here

COMMUNICATION MATTERS

We need to acknowledge all communication attempts by individuals. This means that we need to acknowledge scripts. This acknowledgement can look different and include head nodding, repeating their words, responding to their message, and elaborating on the activity. The important part here is that gestalt language processors feel heard and that their words have a purpose.

SUPPORT LANGUAGE GROWTH

As we have discussed above, gestalt language processing is completely valid. We are looking to support language growth not change it. Gestalts/Scripts/Echolalia will always be present in language. We are not on a mission to replace language, but rather on a mission to help individuals develop novel language. In order to do this, we are NOT replacing their language. We are providing choices and more language opportunities for them to grow and learn language.

KEEP IT NATURAL

The biggest challenge I see is people not knowing what to model. Here is the thing, if you are looking for a list, you are overthinking it. We are looking for NATURAL language. What would you normally say during this activity and start modeling that. Remember that initial gestalts are usually attached to strong emotional meaning. Keep it fun.

INPUT MATTERS

When we are supporting any type of language growth we want to be sure that what we are saying is good input. We want to increase our comments and decrease our questions. We do this for a few reasons:

1. decreasing questions decreases the pressure to communicate

2. It allows for more language and types of language to be modeled

3. No one wants to be quizzed all day

Check out the FREE handout I made for you that shares these 4 tips for supporting those early gestalt language processors

Lauren Greenlief