MOST autistic kids are learning language this way...
This month we’re going to be talking all about autistic COMMUNICATION!
My favourite topic… but I might be a little biased.
Let’s first dive into thinking about how many autistic kids uniquely develop language- as Gestalt Language Processors.
And if you’ve attended any of my workshops or been a part of any of my programs, you’ll have heard me talk about this more in depth. But for others, this may be new information, or a quick little refresher might help!
To briefly sum it up:
Gestalt language processing is a natural style of language development where kids first learn language in chunks or scripts (like quoting movie lines, phrases from songs, or lines from a book) before breaking those chunks down into smaller parts. Instead of building sentences word by word, they start with whole phrases and gradually learn to break those apart and mix and match pieces to create their own unique sentences. Think of it like learning to sing the whole melody of the song before figuring out each individual lyric!
It often requires us (as supporting adults) to be detectives to figure out the meaning behind the gestalt.
Here are a couple of clues that might tell you an autistic kid is using this style of language:
Often singing or highly engaged in listening to songs (often one part over and over again)
Answering questions is difficult
Repeats lines from movies, shows, or books
Use long strings of language that sound like “gibberish”
May have some “stuck” single words (where they only use these words on their own and not combined with other words)
3 fun facts about Gestalt Language Processing:
MOST autistic kids learn language this way
They can be non-speaking and a gestalt language processor
Even if they’re at later stages of gestalt language development, they may still prefer to communicate by scripting from time to time
Here are some fun example gestalts from kids I’ve supported:
“Let’s put our furry heads together and think!” (from The Furchester Hotel) → meaning behind it: we need to make a plan or figure out how to solve a problem
“Thanks for watching” (from the end of YouTube videos) → meaning behind it: being finished with an activity or indicating it’s time to go
“Where’s Mommy Pig?” (from Peppa Pig) → meaning behind it: something’s missing, looking for something, or asking specifically for mom
“Sunscreen, sunscreen, where are you? Here I am, here I am, how do you do?” (adapted from the Finger Family song) → meaning behind it: expressing joy when playing outside
"But he was still hungry" (from the Hungry Caterpillar) → meaning behind it: hungry and wants something specific to eat
I hope this was insightful on your journey to building your understanding of autistic communication differences :)
Want to learn more about supporting autistic kids using neurodiversity-affirming practices?
Then here are 3 ways we can stay connected:
1. Check out Wild Seeds SLP on social media:
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2. Grab my new FREE resource ‘The Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom Strategies BINGO Card’:
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3. Join the waitlist for the next cohort of my signature online group program:
REWILD: Building Supportive Connections with Autistic Children
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