Specialist Services

Gestalt Language Processing

Did you know that there are two different ways in which children learn language?

These two different ways are known as Analytic and Gestalt Language Processing. Both are equally valid and developmental ways of acquiring language. Neither way is better than the other - they are just different.

Learning and understanding how your child processes and learns language can be useful in identifying the best ways to support their language development.

Strategies and techniques that have been developed to support Analytical Language Processors (ALP) are not always beneficial for Gestalt Language Processors (GLP). See below for the best ways to support GLP’s.

Analytic Language Development

Uses single words, often referencing what is within the environment (e.g., ball)

Combines 2 single words together (e.g., red ball, big dog)

Combines 3-4 words into short phrases with early grammar (e.g., want red ball)

Combines several words into simple sentences with developing grammar (e.g., we can go play ball)

Gestalt Language Development

Uses intonationally defined strings of language to convey a message (e.g., repetition of others, lines from TV shows, media)

Breaks apart learned scripts and begins to ‘mix and match’ them by joining them together to produce semi novel utterances

Isolates single words (nouns and adjectives) from learned scripts and begins to reference things within the environment (e.g., ball, red)

Combines 2-4 words into short phrases with early grammar (e.g. me want ball play)

Children who are identified as being Gestalt Language Processors can benefit from Speech and Language Therapy which:

  • Is child-led and incorporates their interests

  • Acknowledges and repeats the child’s communication

  • Values all attempts and methods of communicating (e.g., spoken language, songs, use of media such as TV clips)

  • Provides access to a total communication environment to give access to these different tools

  • Does the detective work to identify the underlying meaning of a gestalt (intentionally defined utterance) so that adults can respond appropriately

  • Aims to expand on the repertoire of gestalts the individual uses to support them to communicate what is meaningful to them

  • Supports the child to move through the Natural Language Acquisition Framework to produce novel self-generated utterances

 8 Signs your child may be a Gestalt Language Processor

1. Uses long scripts that they have heard, often from books, movies, lines from songs and TV shows

2. Uses rich intonation and imitates the pitch and melody used by the original speaker (e.g., parent, peer, TV)

3. Repeats language after other people (e.g., delayed echolalia)

4. May study or use media to communicate (e.g., will play a clip from a TV show to communicate a message)

5. Language used tends to stay consistent, such as using the same phrase every time they want to go outside

6. Reduced speech intelligibility due to the child not being motorically caught up for the long utterances

7. The underlying meaning of the scripts used cannot always be taken literally and often relates to the context in which it was heard

8. Uses some single words, which often represent entire categories of items (e.g., cats used to refer to all animals)

Emma has completed additional training in Gestalt Language Processing through the Meaningful Speech program and is listed as a Trained Clinical in their Registry.

For more information on how Core Speech can support your child, please contact us using the button below to arrange a consultation.