Gestalt language processing is a natural way to learn language. At least 85% of autistic children learn language this way - moving from repeating things they hear (song lyrics, catchy phrases, movie lines) to using more original and spontaneous language.

While some children will make their way through the language learning stages with ease, others may get stuck at the early stages of their language development. Our goal is to support your child in moving through the stages to eventually start using novel, self-generated language!

Your child may be a gestalt language processor if they:

• Repeat lines from movies and TV shows
• Use rich melody and intonation when they speak, even if the words are not clear
• Seem to be "stuck" using single words
• Don't speak yet, but sing or hum rhythmically
• Use a limited inventory of words and phrases and/or repeat words and phrases over and over in the same way each time
• Make pronoun "errors" or talk in the 3rd person
• Have difficulty answering questions