{"id":1463,"date":"2023-07-19T15:12:30","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T15:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/?p=1463"},"modified":"2024-04-23T14:14:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T14:14:11","slug":"what-is-gestalt-language-processing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Gestalt Language Processing?"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-1463\" data-postid=\"1463\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-1463 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    \t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_akj4678 tb_first tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_j13s679 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tb_zj6c43 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subrow_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col-full tb_dnrr44 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8mjc768   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #7eb6bf;\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019ve Been Told my Child is a Gestalt Language Processor! What do I do now?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my therapy office, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a hot topic among parents who have a child diagnosed with Autism. Finding information about GLP is few and far between, and for most parents, this is an entirely new concept. It is estimated that around 85% of Autistic people are gestalt language processors, and if this is the case, then why are we not affirming this style of communication? I see and recognize the frustration in the parents when they say \u201cWhy have other providers not done this with my child before?\u201d The truth is, this is not a common topic that is taught in graduate school.\u00a0 That\u2019s why as Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), we must seek out further training and research to gain knowledge on different styles of learning, including gestalt language processing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We usually think of language acquisition as learning a word, combining that word with another to make a word combination, combining words to make a sentence, and then we have full conversations. This is called Analytical Language Processing, where language is learned in small independent units. We then build on those single units to build phrases and sentences. This approach is one of the most widely used approaches in speech and language therapy when working on language acquisition. This is not what gestalt language processing is, quite literally it is the opposite!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module plain text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-plain-text tb_tak5324 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t<div class=\"et_pb_code_inner\">\n<link href=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<script src=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script>\n<a class=\"book_a_free_consult\" href=\"\" onclick=\"Calendly.initPopupWidget({url: 'https:\/\/calendly.com\/valuedvoices\/'});return false;\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" role=\"link\">Book Complimentary Consult<\/a>\n<\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module plain text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_xjsj800   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #e9b46b;\"><strong>What is Gestalt Language Processing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia. Delayed echolalia happens when someone uses messages heard in the past and repeats those messages. These messages may have been learned minutes, days, weeks, and months ago. In our field, there has been a common misconception that these chunks or scripts do not hold meaning, but they do!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These meaningful chunks can range from a single word to a whole script from a TV that your child loves. Rather than the word \u201cfish\u201d having its literal meaning, a GLP child might use the word \u201cfish\u201d to hold the meaning of ocean, pool, or even water. Rather than labeling \u201cocean\u201d you might notice that they are using \u201cfish\u201d instead, to them, fish holds the same meaning as ocean. Likewise, your child comes up to you and says \u201cWe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d which holds the meaning of \u201cI want to go swimming.\u201d The phrase \u201cwe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d could have been acquired from a TV show they love. When a child uses a script with intention, we should honor, affirm, and accept it!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_g2y1273   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #e9b46b;\"><strong>How do I know my child is a Gestalt Language Processor?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few things that can help an SLP determine if a child is a gestalt language processor. One of the most common indicators is the use of echolalia. We talked a little about delayed echolalia above when a phrase is stored and used later. There is another form of echolalia that we listen for, this is called immediate echolalia, this is where the child repeats exactly what someone says immediately following it being heard. These two can be one of the biggest indicators of a Gestalt language processor. Although it is a huge indicator, children who are not gestalt language processors can also use echolalia, but with a reduced frequency.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common thing parents report is \u201cMy child has been in speech therapy for a while. They have a lot of single words but don\u2019t seem to put them together. They mostly require a word-for-word model to produce phrases.\u201d When a GLP is approached with an analytical language processing style, they might get stuck using single words. Like the example above, the word \u201cfish\u201d can hold multiple meanings, the same as the word \u201cwant\u201d so adding these two words together might be difficult given they hold two separate and complex meanings. This leads to another indicator, that traditional speech therapy approaches seem to not be working.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scripts can take the form of a single word, short phrase, sentence, or even long story length- scripts. These stories can be intelligible, you understand every word being said and can tell where the script came from. It can also sound like strings of unintelligible jargon, or babbling, that is rich in intonation. Within this jargon, if you listen closely, sometime words will be made clear or you might begin to make out words within the script! This can sound like \u201c<em>unintelligible\u2026.<\/em>balloons\u2026.<em>unintelligible.\u201d <\/em>The script being used might be longer, however, your child might make one word clear for you to understand that they are communicating.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are all forms of valid communication, let&#8217;s honor them! Even though the language being used might sound restricted or the content doesn\u2019t fit the context, your child is still communicating with you and that should always be acknowledged. Your kiddo\u2019s scripts might hold a different meaning than they were originally intended and that\u2019s okay, we must validate and honor any communicative intent!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9g8l391   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #e9b46b;\"><strong>How does this change therapy?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a child is found to be a gestalt language processor, the clinicians&#8217; therapy approach should change! Switching from an analytical approach to a gestalt language approach is affirming to children who use scripts to communicate. The therapist will change to a Naturalistic Language Acquisition (NLA) approach to therapy. The NLA framework breaks down gestalt language processing into four main stages. These phases guide the GLP to self-generated grammar by breaking down gestalts into single words, then building it back up again. The goal of this approach is for the child to begin understanding that words hold individual meanings.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_68km236 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #e7b371;margin-bottom: 15px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .subrow_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .themify_builder_sub_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mx94330 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_y3g7330 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3tc339   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 1 \u2013 Echolalia<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stuck single words, use of rich intonation with jargon, or use of whole gestalts to communicate meaning. These gestalts can be long, you might hear them as lines from movies, TV shows, or conversations they have heard. <\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_8yl3550 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_o5tw868   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cIt\u2019s time to go\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cLet\u2019s get it\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right goof\u201d <\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_izry400 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_jxz1400 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_404u857 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #e7b371;margin-bottom: 15px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hb2x33 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_d34e33 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vup233   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 2 \u2013 Mitigation<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is when your child begins to mix and match gestalt from the first stage, parts are taken from the original gestalt and mixed with others to create a new message. These gestalts can also be shortened.<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_r2sj33 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9uq6352   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to\u201d + \u201cgo\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cIt\u2019s time to go\u201d + \u201cto the beach\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cLet\u2019s get\u201d + \u201cgoof\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right\u201d<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_k2rw209 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_p7lv210 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_6px2861 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #e7b371;margin-bottom: 15px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_s78s776 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_ckmn777 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_pag5777   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 3 \u2013 Single word or two-word combinations<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this stage you will notice single words again, these are different than the stuck single words from stage one. These are freed from other gestalts. They may also begin to use two-word combinations that usually take the form of noun + noun, adjective + noun, noun + adjective, etc. In this stage, we are not worried about grammar. <\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_jsig777 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_qhcb451   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">Beach, goof, right, time<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cRight goof\u201d \u201cbeach time\u201d<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_fvxg193 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_fr56193 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_h9du193 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #e7b371;margin-bottom: 15px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_4ur2451 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_x8xr451 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_q0fg451   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 4 \u2013 Self-Generated Grammar<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The words that have been freed in stage three can begin to be put together to form self-generated phrases or sentences. Within this stage it is okay to not have perfect grammar, that will be targeted within the later stages of the NLA framework. <\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_2fl3451 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_5ymm566   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cWe gonna go beach\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cTime let\u2019s go\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cGoofy goed beach\u201d<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_nqj956 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_48fz56 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_fxro375 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #e7b371;margin-bottom: 20px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_dneg64   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This framework help guides the clinician through their therapy process, further empowering children to use their voices while affirming their interests. This style of therapy is completely child-led and it looks like play. When you honor all styles and meet your kiddo in their strengths, you notice huge shifts. Kids are more engaged, happy, and free to be themselves. All the more reason to accommodate, honor, and celebrate your child&#8217;s communication style!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fp9w82   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #e9b46b;\"><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestalt language processing is not considered a disorder, it is just considered a style of processing and learning language. Although it is commonly a learning style of autistic people, your child can be a gestalt language processor without having autism. It\u2019s important to use the strengths of children to empower their voices. When forcing them to learn in a style that is not their strength we tend to stifle their ability to communicate. This is very true when a gestalt language processor does not receive therapy that plays to their strength.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is incredibly important for all members of your child&#8217;s service team (i.e. occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, paras, ABA therapists, family members, etc.) to also be on board with shaping their therapy style around this communication approach. When it is not carried over across all therapies and settings, it can be counteractive. Providing therapy through a gestalt language processing approach is maximizing your kiddo&#8217;s learning style and empowering them. If one therapist is not on board it may cause more confusion for your kiddo, when it comes to expressing yourself, this is not something we want! Team collaboration is incredibly important when seeking out a therapist to work with your GLP, discuss with your SLP ways to collaborate with your child\u2019s other service providers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child is autistic or you suspect your child is a GLP, seek out a therapist trained in Gestalt Language Processing or find one knowledgeable of it. At Valued Voices we have two NLA-certified therapists and all other clinicians, including our occupational therapists, are trained to work with gestalt language processors!<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module plain text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-plain-text tb_358t701 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t<div class=\"et_pb_code_inner\">\n<link href=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<script src=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script>\n<a class=\"book_a_free_consult\" href=\"\" onclick=\"Calendly.initPopupWidget({url: 'https:\/\/calendly.com\/valuedvoices\/'});return false;\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" role=\"link\">Book Complimentary Consult<\/a>\n<\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module plain text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_la6b55   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>ASHA Practice Portal &#8211; Clinical Topics: Echolalia and Its Role in Gestalt Language <\/em><em>Development<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Blanc, M. 2012. Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: <\/em><em>The journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Madison, WI: Communication <\/em><em>Development Center Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Meaningful speech &#8211; echolalia education &#8211; gestalt language processing<\/em>. Meaningful Speech Echolalia Education &#8211; Gestalt Language Processing. (n.d.). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meaningfulspeech.com\/home\">https:\/\/www.meaningfulspeech.com\/home<\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_d1f7715 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top col_auto_height tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_703m715 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_t2p6792   image-top tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n\t\t    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1667\" src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-265\" title=\"Sholeh-Shahinfar-min\" alt=\"Sholeh-Shahinfar\" srcset=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n    \t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_lw7r106 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hnnf974   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <div class=\"module module-text tb_r8ed333\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<h2><span style=\"color: #7db4be;\">SHOLEH SHAHINFAR<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<h3>M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT<\/h3>\n<p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module module-text tb_lvuq003\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<p>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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_a910277 tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_3ze8277 first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ffo9228   image-top tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n\t\t    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"1392\" src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey.webp\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-568\" title=\"Bailey\" alt=\"Bailey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey.webp 880w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-190x300.webp 190w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-647x1024.webp 647w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-768x1215.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n    \t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_wpyu277 last\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_bqqh294   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <div class=\"module module-text tb_r8ed333\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<div class=\"module module-text tb_myfh459\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<h2><span style=\"color: #7db4be;\">BAYLEE BROWN<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module module-text tb_sjrp460\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<h5><span style=\"color: #7db4be;\">M.A. CCC-SLP<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Baylee has always found a passion for helping others. As a Speech Language Pathologist, she uses this passion to empower clients to find and develop effective ways to communicate. Baylee has a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Wichita State University in Kansas. There she gained clinical experience in a variety of areas, ranging from disorders of written expression, autism spectrum disorders, articulation disorders, language disorders, developmental delay, to early intervention and identification. In her spare time, she enjoys going to Zumba, yoga, hanging out with her friends, and trying new restaurants. Baylee is new to California and excited to explore a new place, when you see her give her suggestions on places to eat and things to do in the area!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .tb-column-inner -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_column -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .row_inner -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .module_row -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-717089-3571350.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Oral_Motor_Intervention-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1828,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5],"tags":[525,526,60,524,530,529,531,434,522,523,528,527,190,532,34,379],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is Gestalt Language Processing? | Valued Voices Therapy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Gestalt Language Processing? 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| Valued Voices Therapy","description":"Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What is Gestalt Language Processing? | Valued Voices Therapy","og_description":"Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia.","og_url":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/","og_site_name":"Valued Voices Therapy","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/valuedvoicestherapy\/","article_published_time":"2023-07-19T15:12:30+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-04-23T14:14:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1254,"height":836,"url":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Gestalt-Language-Processing-girls-playing.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Sholeh Shahinfar","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sholeh Shahinfar"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/"},"author":{"name":"Sholeh Shahinfar","@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/350e58a3e110f80b02b08134e8d2046e"},"headline":"What is Gestalt Language Processing?","datePublished":"2023-07-19T15:12:30+00:00","dateModified":"2024-04-23T14:14:11+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/"},"wordCount":1816,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Gestalt-Language-Processing-girls-playing.jpg","keywords":["Autism","Autistic people","communication","diagnosed","disorder","echolalia","empower","gestalt","Gestalt Language Processor","GLP","knowledge","language processors","learning","NLA-certified therapists","speech therapy","therapy"],"articleSection":["Child Communication Development","Language Development"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/","url":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/what-is-gestalt-language-processing\/","name":"What is Gestalt Language Processing? 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What do I do now?\u201d<\/strong><\/h3> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my therapy office, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a hot topic among parents who have a child diagnosed with Autism. Finding information about GLP is few and far between, and for most parents, this is an entirely new concept. It is estimated that around 85% of Autistic people are gestalt language processors, and if this is the case, then why are we not affirming this style of communication? I see and recognize the frustration in the parents when they say \u201cWhy have other providers not done this with my child before?\u201d The truth is, this is not a common topic that is taught in graduate school.\u00a0 That\u2019s why as Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), we must seek out further training and research to gain knowledge on different styles of learning, including gestalt language processing.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We usually think of language acquisition as learning a word, combining that word with another to make a word combination, combining words to make a sentence, and then we have full conversations. This is called Analytical Language Processing, where language is learned in small independent units. We then build on those single units to build phrases and sentences. This approach is one of the most widely used approaches in speech and language therapy when working on language acquisition. This is not what gestalt language processing is, quite literally it is the opposite!<\/p>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<a href=\"\" onclick=\"Calendly.initPopupWidget({url: 'https:\/\/calendly.com\/valuedvoices\/'});return false;\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" role=\"link\">Book Complimentary Consult<\/a>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What is Gestalt Language Processing?<\/strong><\/h3> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a valid form of communication where language is acquired through meaningful chunks or delayed echolalia. Delayed echolalia happens when someone uses messages heard in the past and repeats those messages. These messages may have been learned minutes, days, weeks, and months ago. In our field, there has been a common misconception that these chunks or scripts do not hold meaning, but they do!<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These meaningful chunks can range from a single word to a whole script from a TV that your child loves. Rather than the word \u201cfish\u201d having its literal meaning, a GLP child might use the word \u201cfish\u201d to hold the meaning of ocean, pool, or even water. Rather than labeling \u201cocean\u201d you might notice that they are using \u201cfish\u201d instead, to them, fish holds the same meaning as ocean. Likewise, your child comes up to you and says \u201cWe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d which holds the meaning of \u201cI want to go swimming.\u201d The phrase \u201cwe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d could have been acquired from a TV show they love. When a child uses a script with intention, we should honor, affirm, and accept it!<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How do I know my child is a Gestalt Language Processor?<\/strong><\/h3> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few things that can help an SLP determine if a child is a gestalt language processor. One of the most common indicators is the use of echolalia. We talked a little about delayed echolalia above when a phrase is stored and used later. There is another form of echolalia that we listen for, this is called immediate echolalia, this is where the child repeats exactly what someone says immediately following it being heard. These two can be one of the biggest indicators of a Gestalt language processor. Although it is a huge indicator, children who are not gestalt language processors can also use echolalia, but with a reduced frequency.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common thing parents report is \u201cMy child has been in speech therapy for a while. They have a lot of single words but don\u2019t seem to put them together. They mostly require a word-for-word model to produce phrases.\u201d When a GLP is approached with an analytical language processing style, they might get stuck using single words. Like the example above, the word \u201cfish\u201d can hold multiple meanings, the same as the word \u201cwant\u201d so adding these two words together might be difficult given they hold two separate and complex meanings. This leads to another indicator, that traditional speech therapy approaches seem to not be working.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scripts can take the form of a single word, short phrase, sentence, or even long story length- scripts. These stories can be intelligible, you understand every word being said and can tell where the script came from. It can also sound like strings of unintelligible jargon, or babbling, that is rich in intonation. Within this jargon, if you listen closely, sometime words will be made clear or you might begin to make out words within the script! This can sound like \u201c<em>unintelligible\u2026.<\/em>balloons\u2026.<em>unintelligible.\u201d <\/em>The script being used might be longer, however, your child might make one word clear for you to understand that they are communicating.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are all forms of valid communication, let's honor them! Even though the language being used might sound restricted or the content doesn\u2019t fit the context, your child is still communicating with you and that should always be acknowledged. Your kiddo\u2019s scripts might hold a different meaning than they were originally intended and that\u2019s okay, we must validate and honor any communicative intent!<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How does this change therapy?<\/strong><\/h3> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a child is found to be a gestalt language processor, the clinicians' therapy approach should change! Switching from an analytical approach to a gestalt language approach is affirming to children who use scripts to communicate. The therapist will change to a Naturalistic Language Acquisition (NLA) approach to therapy. The NLA framework breaks down gestalt language processing into four main stages. These phases guide the GLP to self-generated grammar by breaking down gestalts into single words, then building it back up again. The goal of this approach is for the child to begin understanding that words hold individual meanings.<\/p>\n\n<h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 1 \u2013 Echolalia<\/strong><\/h4> <p>Stuck single words, use of rich intonation with jargon, or use of whole gestalts to communicate meaning. These gestalts can be long, you might hear them as lines from movies, TV shows, or conversations they have heard. <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to the beach\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cIt\u2019s time to go\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cLet\u2019s get it\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right goof\u201d <\/p>\n\n<h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 2 \u2013 Mitigation<\/strong><\/h4> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is when your child begins to mix and match gestalt from the first stage, parts are taken from the original gestalt and mixed with others to create a new message. These gestalts can also be shortened.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to\u201d + \u201cgo\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cIt\u2019s time to go\u201d + \u201cto the beach\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cLet\u2019s get\u201d + \u201cgoof\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right\u201d<\/p>\n\n<h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 3 \u2013 Single word or two-word combinations<\/strong><\/h4> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this stage you will notice single words again, these are different than the stuck single words from stage one. These are freed from other gestalts. They may also begin to use two-word combinations that usually take the form of noun + noun, adjective + noun, noun + adjective, etc. In this stage, we are not worried about grammar. <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">Beach, goof, right, time<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cRight goof\u201d \u201cbeach time\u201d<\/p>\n\n<h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stage 4 \u2013 Self-Generated Grammar<\/strong><\/h4> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The words that have been freed in stage three can begin to be put together to form self-generated phrases or sentences. Within this stage it is okay to not have perfect grammar, that will be targeted within the later stages of the NLA framework. <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cWe gonna go beach\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cTime let\u2019s go\u201d<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">\u201cGoofy goed beach\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This framework help guides the clinician through their therapy process, further empowering children to use their voices while affirming their interests. This style of therapy is completely child-led and it looks like play. When you honor all styles and meet your kiddo in their strengths, you notice huge shifts. Kids are more engaged, happy, and free to be themselves. All the more reason to accommodate, honor, and celebrate your child's communication style!<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/h3> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestalt language processing is not considered a disorder, it is just considered a style of processing and learning language. Although it is commonly a learning style of autistic people, your child can be a gestalt language processor without having autism. It\u2019s important to use the strengths of children to empower their voices. When forcing them to learn in a style that is not their strength we tend to stifle their ability to communicate. This is very true when a gestalt language processor does not receive therapy that plays to their strength.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is incredibly important for all members of your child's service team (i.e. occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, paras, ABA therapists, family members, etc.) to also be on board with shaping their therapy style around this communication approach. When it is not carried over across all therapies and settings, it can be counteractive. Providing therapy through a gestalt language processing approach is maximizing your kiddo's learning style and empowering them. If one therapist is not on board it may cause more confusion for your kiddo, when it comes to expressing yourself, this is not something we want! Team collaboration is incredibly important when seeking out a therapist to work with your GLP, discuss with your SLP ways to collaborate with your child\u2019s other service providers.<\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child is autistic or you suspect your child is a GLP, seek out a therapist trained in Gestalt Language Processing or find one knowledgeable of it. At Valued Voices we have two NLA-certified therapists and all other clinicians, including our occupational therapists, are trained to work with gestalt language processors!<\/p>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/assets.calendly.com\/assets\/external\/widget.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<a href=\"\" onclick=\"Calendly.initPopupWidget({url: 'https:\/\/calendly.com\/valuedvoices\/'});return false;\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" role=\"link\">Book Complimentary Consult<\/a>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>ASHA Practice Portal - Clinical Topics: Echolalia and Its Role in Gestalt Language <\/em><em>Development<\/em><\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Blanc, M. 2012. Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: <\/em><em>The journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Madison, WI: Communication <\/em><em>Development Center Inc.<\/em><\/p> <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Meaningful speech - echolalia education - gestalt language processing<\/em>. Meaningful Speech Echolalia Education - Gestalt Language Processing. (n.d.). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meaningfulspeech.com\/home\">https:\/\/www.meaningfulspeech.com\/home<\/a><\/p>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min.jpg\" title=\"Sholeh-Shahinfar-min\" alt=\"Sholeh-Shahinfar\" srcset=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sholeh-Shahinfar-min-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/>\n<h2>SHOLEH SHAHINFAR<br \/> <\/h2> <h3>M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT<\/h3> <p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<img src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey.webp\" title=\"Bailey\" alt=\"Bailey\" srcset=\"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey.webp 880w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-190x300.webp 190w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-647x1024.webp 647w, https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Bailey-768x1215.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/>\n<h2>BAYLEE BROWN<\/h2>\n<h5>M.A. CCC-SLP<\/h5> <p>Baylee has always found a passion for helping others. As a Speech Language Pathologist, she uses this passion to empower clients to find and develop effective ways to communicate. Baylee has a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Wichita State University in Kansas. There she gained clinical experience in a variety of areas, ranging from disorders of written expression, autism spectrum disorders, articulation disorders, language disorders, developmental delay, to early intervention and identification. In her spare time, she enjoys going to Zumba, yoga, hanging out with her friends, and trying new restaurants. Baylee is new to California and excited to explore a new place, when you see her give her suggestions on places to eat and things to do in the area!<\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1463"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2220,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463\/revisions\/2220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}