Gestalt Language Processing

[Buttercup1999]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping you can help me understand more on language processing.

Is it possible to be both an analytical language processor and a gestalt language processor?

I think my son uses both ways of learning language. He is 2yrs 9months and started talking using the usual words, mama, dada, yum yum, animals sounds etc. Then moved on to 2 and 3 word sentences etc. 'More juice please' etc. He does however have alot of learned phrases as I call them although he uses them in the correct context, 'bye bye see you later' 'so cute' 'maybe later' and many more. They are phrases he has learned from us, nothing from TV programmes or books etc. He does still repeat alot of what we say, immediate echolalia but it's nearly like he banks it in his memory to use for again. He does talk in the third person which I understand is common in GLP. Also he love music and sings songs all the time. He has started to answer questions too and understands well. He just doesn't seem to acquire language as naturally as my daughter did and I'm quite stressed although grateful he's able to communicate.

Does GLP always mean autism also?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Just to add that she was referred at the time due to:

speech delay
Noise sensitivity
No speech outside the house
Did not like playing around peers because of the noise they made so would go and play alone.

At the NHS SALT assessment, she went and played with a light switch and then something like a nail screw in the wall so they wrote she noticed small details even though she has literally never done that at home.

@Seasonofthewitch83 you might want to just keep an eye on her development. She sounds right. I am saying this because I have read that there are sensory issues can exist just in isolation. And I was just watching a video on YT where SLPs were deliberating on gestalt learning being done by NT kids too. Just that some of them get over its stages quickly.
But regardless, I think it is better to get help. Even If she loses here diagnosis in future you won't regret getting help.

Exactly. No harm at all in extra support. If she didnt have a language delay I would have had no concerns at all.

@Seasonofthewitch83 @NewMum118 so interesting reading those posts!
I can relate to so many things you said @Seasonofthewitch83 about your DD language development in relation to my son's. He still refers to himself in the third person sometimes but will say 'I'm hungry' or 'I want....' etc he's also using 'me' alot more now whereas a few weeks back he was muddled up with 'me' and 'you' and the more I tried to help the worse it got! Was a pantomine me trying to explain it to him lol!
He also has a fantastic memory. He enjoys books and is improving at answering comprehension questions everyday.
I honestly am mentally drained by it all, watching and analysing him every minute of the day. So silly because it changes nothing, he will still be the same child that I love and adore.

@Buttercup1999 you might want to look at Laura Mize videos on receptive language milestones. It will reassure you. She says a 30 month old should be using pronouns only sometimes. I think your son is so on track :)

Thank you @NewMum118 💗
How's your little man doing?

He is doing good. Getting more independent each day. He now needs minimal help in dressing up too. So happy about that. His understanding is getting even better. We did need to work on his receptive language. I keep referring to Laura Mize milestones for it and that reassures me. We have started working on his expressive speech which is still not progressing as much.
Sometimes I wonder if he can understand and point to literally everything when asked why he still won't speak as much.
It seems to be a confidence issue, maybe he just needs some more time. Today at lunch time he just said 'eat' happily. When done, he said 'finish'
I have started working intensively with him at home. Hopefully we would see the expressive speech explode in the next 6 months.

*we did not need to work on his receptive language.

That's great @NewMum118 I'm delighted he's making such good progress, he sounds like he is doing fab!
I think as mums that's all we want, is for them to make progress no matter the pace. I'm a born worrier and trying to be more go with the flow but it's hard lol. I'm going to look up Laura Mize tonight and see how I get on 🙂

Hi, I know this is an old post and I hope you don’t mind me asking, I’m just wondering how things have gone for your little one? Your son sounds very similar to mine, we had a SALT appointment this week and was told she believes him to be a GLP and at stage 4, they said there was nothing more as a service they could do. Im at a bit of a loss of what to do and if there is anything more I can do to help, so any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi @Ariek, my boy is 4 now and doing well. I still see things with his speech that niggle at me but all in all he's doing great. He's a nursery and they can understand him, he can hold conversations, talk about his day etc tell me more about your son, not sure I'll be much help but I'll certainly try.

Hi
thank you so much for your update . Was he diagnosed in the end ? ☺️

No diagnosis as yet, he's still on the list to be assessed, nursery have said they feel they are leaning towards that he won't get a diagnosis as he is managing and coping well. It's hard to know.

Hi sorry to barge in but do you happen to remember your DS around 20 months before 2 ? Did you notice anything ☺️

Hi, just wanted to add for OP and anyone else still following this thread - there is also a profile of Autism called PDA which presents quite differently to more 'classic' Autism. With a PDA profile kids tend to have good language skills, or a delay with then a good degree of catch-up. They are often GLPs and enjoy roleplay. Also can manage eye contact. There are also other nuances to the presentation. There are lots of useful resources online but the PDA Society is a good place to start. It may or may not apply to your little ones, but just thought I would mention as it's not very well known about and a few years ago I was in a similar position with a child that seemed Autistic but at the same time didn't fit the usual profile. I read a comment in a thread like this about PDA and it was a lightbulb moment for me and has changed our lives considerably.

Hi any updates please ?

Hi any updates please

@Claire123ee Apologies. I don't know how I missed this message. My son still has a severe expressive speech delay which means he has progressed a lot but as compared to his peers he is still far behind. Receptive has grown fairly well and is behind a bit but it is not concerning.
ASD and ADHD has been ruled out but he may have some language impairments. Learning disabilities also have been largely ruled out as he does very well academically.
Speech beyond two words is unclear which seems to be the reason why he is still hesitant.
I had read somewhere that this is how gestalts progress. They start working on clarity after acquiring the langauge stage (words , two words, sentences). So he speaks single words and largely two words very clearly but sentences are very unclear. He has very large functional vocabulary though. And answers all types of questions.

Hi any updates as of today