Is My Child a Gestalt Language Processor?

If you're a parent or therapist reading this blog, you may have heard of the term gestalt language processing and are wondering: does my child or student fit the GLP profile? Let's discuss some signs that your child may be a gestalt language processor (GLP).

But firstly, if you're unfamiliar with what gestalt language processing, start with this blog post: What is Gestalt Language Processing?

Now, let's look at some of the major signs that your child may be a GLP:

Sign #1 - Your child is using delayed echolalia, or "scripting" to communicate. We call these pieces of delayed echolalia, that hold a deeper meaning for the child, "gestalts". If your child's language consists mostly of words, phrases, song lyrics, or lines from TV/movies/Youtube...they might be a gestalt language processor! 

Sign #2 - Your child's speech is rich in intonation and/or emotion! GLPs are often attracted to language that sounds really interesting to the ear. If you find that your child is picking up on songs, more intonation filled words or phrases, or language that is tied to intense emotion, that can be a sign that your child is a GLP. In fact, many gestalt processor's first words, are songs! Even if you can't understand your child's speech, you may find that you're able to decipher what is being said, by cueing into the intonation. For example: a child with unintelligible speech, might attempt to sing or hum "Itsy Bitsy Spider". And while we can't understand the words, we know what song they are singing, because they get the musical elements of the song (rhythm, pitch, etc) juuuuust right!

Sign #3 - Your child is "stuck" on single words. Gestalt language processors, in the early stages of language development, don't see single words as building blocks for grammar. Meaning, if they are modeled single words, they will likely pick them up as a gestalt ("script"), but won't start to combine word+word to make phrases, like a non-GLP would. GLPs need more gestalts (chunks of language that are often phrase level)...NOT single words. So, if your child has been modeled lots of single words, they may be a bit "stuck" in this space. But have no fear! Many GLPs have tons of single words that they were "taught" but are not yet able to combine to create grammar. That grammar production WILL come (for many GLPs). But for now, you want to support them by modeling phrase-level things, in their words (more on that in a later blog).

Sign #4 - Your child is using video clips / media to communicate! Maybe they fast-forward to a specific scene in a Cocomelon episode where the child falls down and needs a bandaid, to communicate to you that they got hurt. Many GLPs use video clips, songs, or other media to communicate, especially if they don't have reliable access to speech.

If your child isn't clearly communicating using video clips, but IS replaying pieces of videos over and over, or seems more attracted to the intonation and emotion rich media language than they are to speech they are hearing in their environment, this can also be a sign that your child is a GLP.

Sign #5 - Your child is not making progress with speech and language therapy. If this is the case, their therapist may not fully understand gestalt language processing, and may be using language therapy methods that are geared more towards an analytic language processing, than gestalt language processing (ex: modeling single words instead of phrase level potential gestalts). Therapy that supports gestalt processors looks quite different than therapy that supports GLPs.

If you'd like to find a speech therapist that is trained to support gestalt language processors, check this registry!  www.meaningfulspeechregistry.com

Sign #6 - Your child is hyperlexic. About 12% of GLPs are hyperlexic, and most hyperlexic kids are GLPs! If you want more info on hyperlexia, check out @andnextcomesl on Instagram, or visit her website HERE.

Grab my Intro to GLP Parent Handbook HERE!

Want to learn more about supporting GLPs?

Check out my Intro to GLP handbooks https://www.bohospeechie.net/handbooks

Check out my GLP courses: https://www.bohospeechie.net/courses

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohospeechie/

Book a coaching call with me: https://calendly.com/katjapiscitelli/45min

This website is an incredible source of info: https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/

Sources

Blanc, M. 2012. Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Madison, WI: Communication Development Center Inc.

Blanc, M. 2022. The Natural Language Acquisition Guide: Echolalia is all about gestalt language development. Madison, WI: Communication Development Center Inc.

Meaningful Speech Course. Meaningfulspeech.com

Natural Language Acquisition In Autism Echolalia To Self-Generated Language-Level 1, 2 and 3

From Echolalia to Self-Generated Language: Case Studies in Natural Language Acquisition. On Demand ASHA Webinar.

Communication development center (no date) Communication Development Center. Available at: https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/ (Accessed: January 14, 2023). 

Blanc, M. 2004. “When Speech Gets Stuck,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, Sept/Oct.

Blanc, M. 2005. “Finding the Words: To Tell the Whole Story—Natural Language Development on the Autism Spectrum,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec.

Blanc, M. 2010. “More than Words,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, January/February.

Prizant, B., (1982). Gestalt language and gestalt processing in autism. Topics in Language Disorders, 3, 1, 16-23.

Prizant, B. (1983). “Language Acquisition and Communicative Behavior in Autism: Toward an Understanding of the ‘Whole’ of It.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders 48:296–307.

Prizant, B., and P. Rydell. (1984). “An Analysis of the Functions of Delayed Echolalia in Autistic Children.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Research 27:183–92.

Rydell, P., and B. Prizant. (1995). “Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children Who Use Echolalia.” In Teaching Children with Autism: Methods to Increase Communication and Socialization, edited by K. Quill: 105-129. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.

Stiegler, L. (2015). “Examining the Echolalia Literature: Where Do Speech-Language Pathologists Stand?” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology: 1-13.