Gestalt Language Processors small group speech therapy

Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) are children who learn language by initially repeating what they hear from other sources. This first stage of language development for GLPs is called Delayed Echolalia, and it's a valid and meaningful way of communicating. As speech therapists with experience and training in supporting GLPs, we can support children to progress to later stages of language development to produce language that is "self-generated" or not directly from another source.

Gestalt Language Processors develop language differently compared to Analytic Language Processors (ALPs). ALPs are children who babble, say first words, and then combine those words into phrases. Most people are familiar with this type of language development, even if they didn't know that it had a specific name. And for the most part, Analytic Language Development is what most consider the only way children develop language- but this is not the case.

There are several ways to identify a Gestalt Language Processor. Here are some that might be most apparent to those who interact with a GLP:

• The child has an autism (ASD) diagnosis. Not all GLPs are Autistic, and not all Autistic people are GLPs, but there is a strong correlation between the two.

• The child previously said words, but stopped saying them.

• The child repeats language from shows, music, other people around them, etc.

• The child is very musical. They might not say many words, but can sing a song or make noises to the intonation of a song.

• They've been in speech therapy for some time, but are not making progress.

If a child is a GLP or suspected to be a GLP, the language intervention they receive is important. The strategies that work for Late Talkers or Analytic Language Processors are different than those that are considered best practice for Gestalt Language Processors.

Our individual speech therapy sessions are tailored to a child's individual language development. We also want to provide the best support to each child in our group sessions, so we are now offering small group sessions for Gestalt Language Processors- called Mae Mae & Me for Gestalt Language Processors!

Our groups for GLPs will focus on introducing families to Gestalt Lan

guage Development and the stages of language development. Each class will incorporate the child's special interests, sensory materials, music, and movement. Our goal is for families to learn about Gestalt Language Development and Gestalt Language Processors, and for children to be supported in a setting and with supports that are most appropriate for their development.

If you're not sure what group is best for your child or if your child is a Gestalt Language Processor, reach out to us and we can provide some guidance!