Gestalt language processing is a natural way of developing language that has been known in our field since the 1980’s, but it has been largely ignored because children who use gestalt processes are regularly misidentified as disordered analytic language processors. When gestalt language processors (GLPs) are treated like analytic language processors (ALPs), their progress is often limited. When they are treated like disordered ALPs, their potential progress is undermined by the compensatory strategies they are taught. When supported as GLPs, however, autistic and neurotypical gestalt language processors develop language naturally, and they are able to achieve the same self-generated language as ALPs!
This full-day training will prepare you to approach all your students from the lens of both analytic and gestalt language development. You will be able to use the protocol of Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) to understand and support gestalt language development and feel confident that you can approach all students with your knowledge of both styles of language development. Case examples will illustrate the progress of two students who were initially misidentified as ALPs, and who progressed in language development as measured and described by Natural Language Acquisition.