If your speech language pathologist has shared that your child is a gestalt language processor, you might be feeling both curious and eager to support their language development most effectively. The good news is that there are a few simple things parents can do before ever setting foot in a speech therapy session.
What is Gestalt Language Processing?
The first step to supporting your child is understanding what exactly Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is and how it differs from other language processing. GLP is a type of language development where a child learns in chunks of language rather than single words. These chunks of language are what we call “gestalts” and could be a memorized phrase from a movie or something they heard from a family member.
This differs from analytical processing, which is a more common approach to language processing. Analytical processors begin with understanding a single word at a time, versus a phrase.
For example, a Gestalt language processor might say, “Let’s go get some snacks!” if they are hungry, whereas an analytical processor might say, “Can I have a snack, please?” “Let’s go get some snacks!” could be a phrase they picked up from the TV or a friend, but they understand it as something you say when you’re hungry.
It’s essential to remember that gestalts are a normal stage of language development for children, typically occurring after they have grasped single words, rather than the other way around.
Ways To Support Your Child Who Is a Gestalt Language Processor
Identify the Phrases You Hear Most Commonly
Your child may repeat gestalts that don’t seem to fit the situation appropriately. This is called echolalia. It may be your first reaction to want to tell them their utterance doesn’t make sense. However, when we put on our detective hat, we might realize these gestalts can help us learn a lot about what our gestalt language processors are thinking or feeling.
Previously, we had a student who often said the phrase, “We don’t hit,” at times that didn’t initially make much sense. As we heard the phrase again and again, it seemed like the student was saying it when play situations became tense or someone was becoming dysregulated.
This child was probably thinking back to a time when a communication partner used this phrase to attempt to calm down a tense situation. Maybe this phrase was his own way of saying, “Let’s calm down,” “We need to take deep breaths,” or “This is getting stressful.”
Gestalt language processors have a truly fascinating way of processing the world and developing language skills. Sometimes it takes us analytical processors a little time to catch up!
Play With Intonation
Gestalt language processors often learn a great deal of language from utterances that convey emotion in the speaker’s voice. This means that experimenting with intonation can help children begin to understand meaning in individual words.
When you’re playing with your child, consider trying the following:
- Using a funny tone of voice
- Modulating your volume from whispering to shouting
- Emphasizing emotions through tone of voice
- Stretching out or shortening your syllables
- Playing with low vs. high tones of voice
Notice if your child plays with intonation or attempts to imitate your cadence and rhythm.
Acknowledge and Praise Communication Attempts
There are times when gestalt language processors produce utterances that are completely or partially unintelligible, and it can be hard to know how to respond when we don’t understand what they are trying to say.
It’s important to let our gestalt language processors know that we appreciate them trying to communicate, even if they don’t always sound like an analytical processor. You can acknowledge unintelligible utterances by giving eye contact, saying “mhmm,” smiling, or saying, “What else?” Sometimes we can attempt to repeat the same utterance back to them to show we are listening.
Once your student begins speech therapy, their SLP will help you learn specific gestalts or grammatical concepts to model for your child. Right now, focus on figuring out what those early gestalts might mean, have fun with intonation, and emphasize communication attempts and the overall message, rather than perfection.
Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center Supports Language Processing
At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, we know that every child learns and processes information differently. That’s why our providers are trained in a variety of research-proven strategies to help every child succeed. Are you wondering if your child would benefit from ETLC’s support? Contact us today to get started on your child’s individualized plan!
0 Comments