Gestalt language processing (GLP) has gained rapid awareness and become a hot topic of clinical conversation in recent months and years. Some question whether GLP is a unique language phenomenon or simply a characteristic of autistic language (Venker & Lorang, 2024). Others wonder if gestalt language processors (GLPs) benefit from traditional, evidence-based approaches to language treatment (Bryant et al., 2024; Hutchins et al., 2024) or whether they may require a different approach given their presumed differences in learning and acquiring spontaneous, self-generated language (Blanc, 2012; Blanc et al., 2023; Haydock et al., 2024).
The Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework (Blanc, 2012) has become one frequently cited and discussed intervention framework designed to support the language development of individuals that have been deemed to be GLPS. This six-stage intervention framework is intended to harness delayed echolalia and systematically facilitate language growth until individuals reach self-generated, autonomous communication. The NLA framework was developed based on many years of clinical evidence and longitudinal language sampling, specifically in autistic children that had not previously shown meaningful progress with more traditional, evidence-based interventions targeted at teaching language, rather than supporting its natural development. As such, many of its treatment principles differ from more traditional language intervention approaches that were previously deemed best practice for all language learning styles.
There is a growing body of clinical evidence and first-hand accounts of the efficacy of this framework. It is found on social medias, web-based platforms, and non-researcher papers (Blanc, 2012; Blanc et al., 2023; Haydock et al., 2024).While there is mounting clinical evidence that outlines how to apply this framework to facilitate the language development of GLPs that primarily use spoken communication, there is minimal evidence or clinical experience regarding how to apply this intervention framework to GLPs that use robust, high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices as their primary communication modality. In the absence of this clear evidence and guidance, many clinicians, parents, and providers are left wondering about the best way to support communication and language development of GLPs that use AAC.
This short presentation session will begin by exploring the theoretical foundations of gestalt language processing (GLP) and the natural language acquisition (NLA) framework (Blanc, 2012) as it is described for individuals that use spoken communication. Emphasis will be placed on describing early stages of GLP where spontaneous communication primarily includes use of whole language “chunks” or scripts (stage one) and partial mitigations and recombinations of these whole gestalts (stage two) as it relates to minimally or nonspeaking people who use or need AAC. Then, the presenters will provide first-hand case examples of how they have applied this intervention framework and associated theory when working with GLPs that use AAC. The presenters will provide applicable examples of selection of meaningful, personally relevant stage two gestalt phrases and how/where to program these stage two gestalts into several well-known AAC systems.
