Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice

Haydock, Amanda; Harrison, Louisa; Baldwin, Katy; Leadbitter, Kathy

doi:10.1177/13623613241234598

Autism

2024

DOI: 10.1177/13623613241234598

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Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice

Amanda Haydock,

Louisa Harrison,

Katy Baldwin

et al.

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2024

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“…In the current context, the term GLP is associated with Natural Language Acquisition (NLA, Blanc, 2012 , 2024 ) which is offered as a protocol to advance the language development of autistic people (especially those using echolalia). The popularity of NLA suggests that it captures something meaningful for professionals and families of autistic people ( Haydock et al, 2024 ). We presume that NLA is attractive, in large part, because it emphasizes respect for autistic people and a high degree of parental support.…”

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Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy

Hutchins,

Knox,

Fletcher

2024

Autism & Developmental Language Impairments

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Background and Aim Recently, there has been a lot of interest surrounding the term gestalt language processor (GLP) which is associated with Natural Language Acquisition (NLA): a protocol intended to support the language development of autistic people. In NLA, delayed echolalia is presumed raw source material that GLPs use to acquire language in a stage-like progression from delayed echolalia to spontaneous speech. The aim of this article is to evaluate NLA in light of relevant literatures to allow scrutiny of NLA claims. Main contributions First, we review the notion of gestalt language and situate it in the broader literature on language styles to update understanding of its significance. We then review the links from gestalt language processing to autism and identify definitional and conceptual problems and clarify the construct ‘episodic memory’. We discuss the ‘raw material view of delayed echolalia’ and identify theoretical and empirical shortcomings. Finally, we review Blanc’s language stages and their accompanying assessment and language support recommendations and challenge their validity. Conclusions & Implications The term ‘gestalt language processor’ is definitionally and conceptually troubled, the assertion that autistic people are GLPs is misleading and unhelpful, and evidence is lacking that GLP represents a legitimate clinical entity. The theoretical basis of NLA lacks empirical support. NLA stages are implausible and their accompanying assessment and support recommendations lack justification. We recommend the use of alternate, individualized, theoretically-sound, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming supports that are sensitive and responsive to the heterogeneity that defines autism.

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Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy

Hutchins,

Knox,

Fletcher

2024

Autism & Developmental Language Impairments

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Continuing the conversation about echolalia and gestalt language development: A response to Haydock, Harrison, Baldwin, and Leadbitter

Venker,

Lorang

2024

Autism

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Although gestalt language development incorporates some neurodiversity-affirmative strategies (e.g. embracing echolalia), it is also associated with numerous ideas, assertions, and clinical strategies that lack theoretical and empirical support. For this reason, we believe it is premature to embrace gestalt language development as a neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Given the potential for miscommunication, we must strive for clarity and precision in our terminology (e.g. making a clear distinction between delayed echolalia and the broader set of ideas that comprise gestalt language development). The field of autism will benefit from in-depth discussions about the relationship between neurodiversity-affirmative practices and evidence-based practices. Lay Abstract It was recently suggested that a set of ideas known as gestalt language development be embraced as a neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Neurodiversity refers to the idea that people interact with the world in many different ways and that there is not a single right way to do so. Some aspects of gestalt language development, such as embracing autistic communication, are consistent with neurodiversity. However, gestalt language development is also associated with numerous ideas, assertions, and clinical strategies that lack theoretical and empirical support. For this reason, we believe it is premature to embrace gestalt language development as a neurodiversity-affirmative practice. We propose that it is important to make sure we use language that differentiates between delayed echolalia and the broader set of ideas that comprise gestalt language development. We also suggest that it is important to discuss the relationship between neurodiversity-affirmative practices and practices supported by research evidence.

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Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice

Cited by 2 publications

References 31 publications

Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy

Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy

Continuing the conversation about echolalia and gestalt language development: A response to Haydock, Harrison, Baldwin, and Leadbitter

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