Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)
What is Gestalt Language Processing?
Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a natural way children can develop language. Gestalt Language Processors acquire language in chunks or "gestalts," often through delayed echolalia (Prizant & Rydell 1984, Peters 1983, Blanc 2012). Marge Blanc (2012) outlined language development for these children in the ‘Natural Language Acquisition’ framework:
Stage 1 - Delayed echolalia/gestalts: Children repeat chunks of language they have heard.
Stage 2 – Mitigating gestalts (mixing and matching gestalts): Children start to break down and reassemble chunks.
Stage 3 - Single words and word combinations: Children extract single words from their gestalts, understanding individual meanings and start to combine these.
Stages 4 - Self-generated phrases and simple sentences: Children continue to develop their grammar skills.
Stage 5 - Self-generated sentences used in everyday situations: Children start to add more advanced grammar to their basic sentences.
Stage 6 - Self-generated sentences used in more complex situations: Children start to use sophisticated grammar correctly.
Below is an example of how a GLP may develop language over time.
Stage 1: ‘Mummy pig wants to go outside’ (meaning can we go outside?) ‘let’s go to the park’
Stage 2: ‘wants to go outside’ ‘Mummy pig wants to go eat’ ‘wants to go park’
Stage 3: 'Mummy pig’ ‘outside’ ‘park there’ ‘down slide’
Stage 4: ‘let’s go down the slide’ ‘you want to go eat?’
Stage 5: ‘I don’t want to go outside but you can’ ‘how long is it until we can go eat?’
Stage 6: ‘I really want to go outside because it’s nice and sunny today, will you come with me and play?’
How do I know if my child is a Gestalt Language Processor?
Many neurodivergent and Autistic children and people are Gestalt Language Processors, in fact evidence currently estimates that around 85% of Autistic people are GLPs, however not all GLPs are Autistic.
Signs your child may be a Gestalt Language Processor:
• They repeat phrases from people or tv shows (delayed echolalia)
• They are neurodivergent or Autistic
• They use long strings of language which can be hard to understand (sounds like babble) with rich intonation patterns
• They enjoy singing or humming from an early age
• They enjoy repetitive play and play sequences
• They enjoy watching the same tv shows or YouTube clips repeatedly, sometimes rewinding clips to a specific part and repeating this
• They use pronoun errors in their expressive language e.g they say ‘you want a drink?’ instead of ‘I want a drink’
• They have a lot of single words or labels but are not combining these to form sentences
Gestalt Language Processing and Analytic Language Processing are considered a spectrum, most children will do both types of processing but have a ‘dominant’ style of processing. It is important that we identify whether our children are Gestalt Language Processors or Analytic Language Processors because where there is a language difficulty, the support that will help each child looks different.
Supporting Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs)
For children developing language through Gestalt Language Processing, the goal is to help them acquire more 'gestalts,' or chunks of language. Modelling lots of single words for early GLPs can lead to these words being acquired as undivided chunks, which can result in them becoming 'stuck' and unable to break these chunks into usable single words. Our therapists at My Journey SLT often encounter this issue, particularly in older GLP students.
Our Approach at My Journey Speech & Language Therapy
At My Journey SLT, we use our clinical experience, knowledge of the evidence base, and, most importantly, we listen to Autistic voices. We model whole chunks of language for our Stage 1 and 2 GLPs.
Aided Language Boards
To support parents, educators, and other professionals, we have developed aided language boards for GLPs. Our GLP boards, available in our shop, feature chunks of language. These boards are designed to support children, particularly those in Stages 1 and 2 of GLP, by modelling larger language units.
By tailoring our approach and resources to the specific needs of our GLPs, we aim to provide effective support that helps each child develop their language skills in a way that aligns with their natural processing style.
Additional Resources
1. Communication Development Center: Marge Blanc and colleagues offer a variety of resources on Gestalt Language Processing and the Natural Language Acquisition Framework, including multilingual resources. Visit Communication Development Center
2. Natural Language Acquisition Facebook Group: A community of over 14'000 people with an interest in Gestalt Language Processing. Get your questions answered here: Natural Language Acquisition Facebook Study Group
3. West Sussex Libraries: Offers a variety of
resources, including books and educational materials, to support language
development. Visit Libraries
- West Sussex County Council
4. Autism Support Crawley: A local community who support families of Autistic people. Visit Autism Support Crawley.
5. National Autistic Society: Offers information, resources and support for Autistic people and their families. Visit National Autistic Society.
