What is Gestalt Language Processing?
Many autistic children are Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs). This is a communication style and way of developing language that is very common in autism, but is different from what most of us are familiar with.
Signs Of A Gestalt Language Processor
Children who are Gestalt Language Processors may show the following signs and characteristics:
they may enjoy language rich in intonation
they may repeat questions instead of answering them
they may be stuck on using mostly single word utterances for communication
they may repeat phrases and songs word-for-word and with intonation from movies, TV shows, music, YouTube etc.
they may use long strings of unintelligible speech, “gibberish” “babbling”, that are rich in intonation
their expressive language ability may not match their receptive (they understand more than they can express)
Most of us are familiar with children developing language usually one word at a time. Sometimes they pick up on meanings as wholes such as when a typically developing child will say “pick you up?” when they want to be picked up. It is a whole phrase that the child has learned means “pick me up”. This is an example of a gestalt.
Gestalt Language Processors are drawn to rich intonation and whole parts, such as whole phrases and scripts. Instead of developing language one word a time, they start with these longer chunks. These longer chunks of language hold meaning. When a child is using mostly gestalts to communicate and has autism, they may be a gestalt language processor. Echolalia is usually one of the first and most obvious signs that a child is a gestalt language processor. Echolalia is repeating words and phrases. Echolalia may be immediate or delayed.
A GLP may say “do you need help?”, but they’re not asking YOU if you need help, they are really trying to say that THEY need help.
Another example, a GLP may say, “are you okay?”, after they fall or hurt themself. But they’re not really asking anyone if they’re okay, that’s just the phrase that holds meaning for them associated with getting hurt.
Gestalt language processors also pick up on phrases and quotes from songs, movies, tv shows etc. They may use these gestalts in certain scenarios to because they have meaning to them. It may not always be clear to others what that meaning is.
So what do we do in speech therapy for Gestalt Language Processors? How can we help them develop language in a way that works best for their communication style? How can we help them move from these rigid gestalts and move to more flexible, spontaneous speech?
The main thing we do is model what we think the child would say using declarative these whole phrases/statements and comments, and avoid asking questions. This gives your child a model of the type of language they can use to communicate. According to the stages of the Gestalt Language Processing framework, children who are gestalt language processors develop the skill to answer questions much later. So we avoid asking questions as much as possible.
So when your child wants a snack, instead of asking them questions, “do you want a snack?” “what snack do you want?”, “do you want an orange"?”. Instead use declarative statements: “It’s time for snack!”, “I want a snack”, “I’m hungry”, “Let’s get a snack”, “Let’s get an orange”.
If you would like more information about Gestalt Language Processing or would like me to work with your child, feel free to reach out to me!
For more info, read my blog post about Echolalia and The Stages Of Gestalt Language Processing.