Later Stages of Gestalt Language Processing
Stage 4+ is when a child is mainly using self-generated, flexible language. Your child is in the later stages of gestalt language development, now what? Here is what you might be noticing:
Delayed echolalia or mitigated gestalts.
You might still be hearing delayed echolalia and/or mitigated gestalts. Even when a GLP is in stage 4+, they will still pick up and use gestalts from various sources. This will not change simply because they are in a later stage.
Knowing the source.
Once they start moving into later stages and self-generating language, a child may be able to tell you the source of their gestalt/where they picked it up. For example, if you ask them where the gestalt is from, they may tell you it is from their favorite song or a movie they just watched. In earlier stages, a GLP may not be able to tell you where the gestalt is from because they are not using self-generated language, that is why it is recommended to eliminate questions until a later stage.
Beginning grammar.
This is the hallmark of Stage 4. Self-generated utterances are characterized by grammatical errors, and although this may sound strange, this is exactly what we want to hear. For example, a child may say “She do it again” or “Yes, I has it.”
Answering questions.
Disfluency and/or pauses.
Scripts generally are fluent, but original, self-generated utterances may sound disfluent. This is very common and often, not an area of concern. At this stage, your child is producing novel utterances which may produce some natural disfluencies. You may also notice pauses between words and taking more time to generate what they want to say. This means that the wheels are turning! Your child is trying to find the words that they have now isolated as a separate unit of language to begin combining them in ways they have not often done before!
While your child is in these later stages of gestalt language development, they are creating sentences in a way that they have not done so before. Their “chunks” of language are now mostly broken down into single units, and they are beginning to use these freed words to form their own novel utterances. At times, the combination of words may not be easily understood, especially by unfamiliar listeners. It is our job to continue to empower our children, do the detective work, and ask the appropriate questions.
Click here for more information on ways to identify if your kiddo is a GLP
Curious in learning more about GLP?
If you are wondering if your kiddo may be a GLP, book a complimentary consultation with me today so we can dig deeper into your child’s strengths.
If you know your child is a GLP and are wanting more support, book a parent coaching session with me today.
SHOLEH SHAHINFAR
M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
