Gestalt Language Processor- What are the signs?

The signs your child is a gestalt language processor (GLP) go beyond using delayed echolalia. Knowing other characteristics to consider in determining if a child is a gestalt language processor will allow you to interact with them most effectively, seek speech therapy from an NLA-trained speech therapist, and help your child reach their full potential. 

Let's talk about some of the signs your child may be a gestalt language processor:

• Use of delayed echolalia

  • Delayed echolalia is the use of language from another source, that is used at a later time. It could be a word, phrase, entire song or television show episode

  • It is the first unit of language acquisition for GLPs, which means that while an Analytic Language Processor babbles and then starts to say single words, then starts to combine those words into phrases, a GLP initially uses a chunk of language or "delayed echolalia."

  • Gestalt Language Processors use gestalts that are meaningful to them. They use language from other sources that has stuck with them because it carries a strong emotion or is meaningful in some way. 

• Gestalt cognitive processing

  • Gestalt cognitive processing is when situations and experiences are seen as a whole or are experienced in an episodic manner. For example, a child may always think of their bedtime routine as mom does bath time and teeth brushing and momma reads books and tucks the child into bed. If part of the routine is attempted to be shifted, it can be dysregulating to the child. 

• Musical/ Rich Intonation

  • GLPs are often very musical, so much so that they are often referred to as "intonation babies." Gestalt language processors are attuned to the rhythm and intonation of music. It can also be very regulating for them. Oftentimes, gestalt language processors will use lyrics from a song as their first gestalt or delayed echolalia. GLPs who aren't producing many spoken words may hum songs they love. Also, oftentimes GLPs have perfect pitch, so they dislike when others attempt to sing along with them or with the music. Instead, they prefer the professionally performed version of their favorite songs.

• Echopraxia

  • Echopraxia is common in gestalt language processors. It is similar to delayed echolalia, but with movements of the body that hold a larger meaning for the child and are voluntary. An example would be a gestalt language processor who observed the speech therapist take a sip of her water, give a thumbs up, and smile as the child peered toward her. Each time the clinician picks up her water bottle, the child looks toward the clinician gives a thumbs up, and smiles. Similar to strategies used with GLPs in other scenarios, it's important to acknowledge the echopraxia by nodding or smiling at the child, because it's meaningful to them and serves as a form of communication.

• The child initially says a few single words but then stops saying them

  • This is a common language development characteristic families share when seeking more information about their child's language development. The family will report that the child used to say a few words, but then suddenly stopped saying them. From a GLP perspective, these words were most likely "stuck" single-word gestalts that the child picked up based on the language modeled by those around them. Since they were most likely gestalts that were "taught" and don't carry true meaning for the child, they didn't stay in the child's repertoire. GLPs need meaningful gestalts that are longer and can eventually be broken down as they continue to develop language. 

• Analytic language approaches (or "traditional approaches") to language development are not working

  • Gestalt language development is not as widely understood as analytic language development. Because of that, most often people, including some speech therapists, default to approaching all children as an analytic language processor (ALP). Perhaps a family is interacting with their child by emphasizing single words, as you would with an ALP. These approaches aren't meaningful for the child and so the family may see the child pick up a few single words, but then seemingly "lose" the words. The same can be said for a speech therapist working with a GLP but using ALP strategies. These strategies are not going to be effective for the child and there will likely be little noticeable growth in the child's language development. If a family or therapist is unsure if a child is an ALP or GLP, it is always better to use GLP strategies because all children can benefit from this intervention, whereas GLPs will not benefit from ALP strategies. 

Knowing the signs or characteristics of a GLP can be empowering! Language development is an exciting process to witness but can be confusing if a child is developing in a way that differs from how most people are familiar. A child does not have to have all of these characteristics to be a GLP, they might, but there are no set criteria for the number of characteristics a child must exhibit to be considered a GLP. 

It's important to remember that gestalt language development is a normal process of developing language. There are evidence-based approaches to supporting GLPs and their families and many GLPs can work through the stages of development to be able to self-generate grammar and share their own uniquely constructed thoughts and ideas. The process GLPs take to get there is just different than ALPs. 

If you suspect that your child is a GLP and would like to support your child's language development or learn more about this type of language development, seek support from a Natural Language Acquisition trained speech therapist. Speech therapists can receive continued education on gestalt language development from a variety of sources, including Meaningful Speech and The Communication Development Center, both of which have registries of speech therapists with extra training. 

Our speech therapists at Speech Language Play NYC are trained to support GLPs and their families. Please take advantage of our free initial phone call if you'd like to learn more about how we can support you and your child.