TACPAC and Gestalt Language Processing
Gestalt Language Processing is the way that some children naturally acquire language. Children who learn language via this route are known as Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs).
Research has shown that GLPs move through six distinct stages of language acquisition from Stage 1, which starts with echolalia, right through to Stage 6 where the child has a full grammatical system and is speaking their own unique utterances (Natural Language Acquisition Framework, Blanc 2012).
What is a Gestalt Language Processor (GLP)?
GLPs are often known as ‘intonation babies’ as they focus on the intonation and musicality of the whole utterance. They link the whole phrase to the event that is happening at the time and usually acquire phrases (known as gestalts) that are emotionally meaningful for them initially. GLPs often learn to sing whole songs or recite long sections from favourite books or t.v. programmes before they are able to produce their own unique phrases. GLPs are known as ‘intonation babies’.
This is in contrast with the other, probably more familiar, natural route to language acquisition, known as analytical language processing. This is where the child starts by learning single words and then builds up to combining words into phrases before ultimately producing sentences using a full grammatical system. Children who learn language this way are called Analytic Language Processors (ALPs) and are known as ‘word babies’.
TACPAC and Gestalt Language Processor (GLP)
At TACPAC, we are passionate about communication and establishing mutual communication during our TACPAC sessions is key. We like to keep up to date with the latest approaches and knowledge and incorporate strategies into our TACPAC sessions where appropriate.
This special feature on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) looks at what Gestalt Language Processing is and then discusses helpful supports for promoting communication for a person who is a Gestalt Language Processor (GLP) and how we can adapt our TACPAC sessions for our GLPs
Want to know more about Gestalt Language Processing?
Marge Blanc has a website called Communication Development Center https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com which is full of useful information.
Alexandria Zachos also has a website called Meaningful Speech www.meaningfulspeech.com which has very accessible information about GLP and a free one hour masterclass which is a great introduction to GLP.
Follow Cathy Shilling at The Speech Den on Facebook/Instagram as she is a Speech and Language Therapist who works with many children who are GLPs.
Gestalt Language Processing FAQs
As with Analytical Language Processors (ALPs), many GLPs will develop through the stages of natural language acquisition until they are able to speak in complete grammatically correct sentences and express complex ideas.
There will be a proportion of GLPs that need extra support to develop their language and move through the stages of natural language acquisition and some may not move through all the Stages and may become communicators using language structures from earlier stages. These individuals can still be supported to communicate a range of different ideas and feelings.
Some individuals who are GLPs may not be able to develop spoken language due to difficulties with the motor aspect of speech. They can be supported to develop their communication using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), e.g. symbols, signs, voice output aids. The GLP will still move through the same stages of language acquisition but language will be expressed using their AAC method of communication.
Yes. Gestalt Language Processing is a natural way of acquiring language that some children use rather than using Analytical Language Processing (which tends to be the route we are more familiar with). A child that is a Gestalt Language Processor may naturally move through the stages of language acquisition until they are competently able to express themselves in grammatically complex sentences without needing any support.
Research has shown that Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs)move through six distinct stages of language acquisition from Stage 1, which starts with echolalia, right through to Stage 6 where the child has a full grammatical system and is speaking their own unique utterances (Natural Language Acquisition Framework, Blanc 2012).
It has been recognised that autistic individuals are more likely to be GLPs, although this is not always the case and it is also true that not all GLPs are autistic.
