First things first!
What does Gestalt mean?
The word “Gestalt” comes from German and means “shape” or “form.” In psychology and philosophy, it refers to a concept where the whole is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.
Gestalt Language Processors learn language in ‘chunks’; phrases, expressions, songs rather than beginning with single words, short utterances, longer phrases, like analytic language processors do.
GLP kids use chunks heard from communication partners, YouTube shows, cartoons, books, songs etc. Over time, these chunks are broken down into smaller parts and pieces and then move into single words and eventually the child is able to use his own self-generated language by recombining words into utterances.
Common Signs:
- Use of Long Gestalts/Scripts
- Stuck single words
- Long strings of unintelligible speech
- Echopraxia
- Gestalt thinking/processing
- Rich Intonation
- Very Musical: Songs are often first gestalts
My child seems to be a Gestalt Language Processor! What to do?
To help Gestalt Language Processors further develop their communication skills, support them by modelling simple, meaningful phrases, in everyday situations to help them develop more functional language. Working with a speech and language therapist who understands gestalt language processing can also be incredibly helpful in guiding your child through the stages of language development.
