Gestalt language processing (GLP) has been known in our field since the 1980s, but largely hidden when children who use these processes have been misidentified as disordered analytic language processors (ALP).This Training Course will prepare you to recognize gestalt language processors and feel confident that you understand the research underlying gestalt language development. The Course is presented by the original author of Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: the Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language and an Associate Professor in Language Development.

You will learn how gestalt language development differs from analytic language development, how it naturally progresses through six Stages, and how to support it in your clients. Case examples of two young children, one bilingual, will illustrate the value of language sampling and the principles of assessing and supporting gestalt language development. 

Supports at each Stage will be presented, with writing assignments offered to enhance learning. 

Characteristics often found in older GLPs will be described, and a case example of an older client will illustrate conversational supports for older GLPs. Characteristics found in minimally-speaking GLPs will be described, and clinical examples of using Total Communication with GLPs will be shared. 

Participants will join colleagues in break-out room experiences to practice therapy at Stages 1, 2, and 4, with real-time experience with Stage 3.

Learner Outcomes:

After completing this course, participants will be able to :

1. Outline the six stages of gestalt language development as compared with the stages of analytic language development

2. Describe the research evidence for the use of Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) to support gestalt language development

3. Compare the case studies presented during the Course.

4. Compare the language found at Stages 2 with that found at Stage 4.

5. Score a set of utterances produced by a child at Stages 1-5 of gestalt language development

6. Describe the supports for a child you work with, or a hypothetical client.