What do you think?
Rate this book
Gestalt Language Processing: Supporting Autistic and Neurodivergent Children with Natural Language Acquisition
This book invites the reader to explore Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt Language Processors. It clearly sets out the stages of Gestalt Language Processing and the steps in therapy to effectively help neurodivergent children and young people to move on with their language development, supporting them to become independent and creative language users.
A wealth of real-life examples and in-depth case studies brings theory to life and allows practitioners to apply the principles to the children they know. Chapters
A detailed description of each stage of Natural Language Acquisition and a summary of the research background Clear and comprehensive guides to scoring language samples and tracking progress AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) options and supports for developing literacy Consideration of regulation and movement supports Handouts for use in practice, with extra content available online Gestalt Language Processing is an invaluable resource for any Speech and Language Therapist, parent or teacher who is looking to further their knowledge and transform the language support they offer to autistic and neurodivergent children.
A wealth of real-life examples and in-depth case studies brings theory to life and allows practitioners to apply the principles to the children they know. Chapters
A detailed description of each stage of Natural Language Acquisition and a summary of the research background Clear and comprehensive guides to scoring language samples and tracking progress AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) options and supports for developing literacy Consideration of regulation and movement supports Handouts for use in practice, with extra content available online Gestalt Language Processing is an invaluable resource for any Speech and Language Therapist, parent or teacher who is looking to further their knowledge and transform the language support they offer to autistic and neurodivergent children.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2024
15 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 8, 2025
This was a really captivating and evocative book. I don't know if this would be the case for someone who doesn't have gestalt language processing and autism as their passion/special interest but to me this book was everything, and I feel so much fondness and warmth towards the author who very clearly and obviously is an amazing advocate for neurodiversity-affirming care for autistic children. It's evident that she really cherishes and sees enormous beauty in the way autistic folks and gestalt cognitive processors experience and perceive the world around them - with such nuance for the emotional and sensory elements of experiences.
I really enjoyed reading two chapters each weekend and taking many notes that I studied and reread before each new reading session. It gave me time to really soak up this knowledge and I found myself both intentionally and subconsciously utilizing it more at work, where I found that even the practitioners I have immense admiration for don't fully utilize NLA for our GLPs.
I really enjoyed and valued the examples and visuals provided throughout the book, especially in the sections of GLP and AAC, but also the examples of the 'frame-and-slot' model, the examples of each stage in NLA, examples of goals for autistic folks at each stage, case studies, and the section on alerting and calming regulation supports. Being autistic myself I found the information more easy to conceptualize when provided with visuals and in context.
Needless to say, this book is everything I'm trying to pursue and emulate in my work (my passion) everyday and I want to continue to study my notes from it and find creative ways to utilize it. There's something really profound and beautiful and fulfilling about empowering autistic clients by engaging in creative (utilizing their special interests) child-led practices that honor who they are at their core to meet their goals. I yearn to be able to do this even more in-depth than I am now as a para, and I hope that one day I'll be allowed and given the agency and position to do it more comprehensively.
I really enjoyed reading two chapters each weekend and taking many notes that I studied and reread before each new reading session. It gave me time to really soak up this knowledge and I found myself both intentionally and subconsciously utilizing it more at work, where I found that even the practitioners I have immense admiration for don't fully utilize NLA for our GLPs.
I really enjoyed and valued the examples and visuals provided throughout the book, especially in the sections of GLP and AAC, but also the examples of the 'frame-and-slot' model, the examples of each stage in NLA, examples of goals for autistic folks at each stage, case studies, and the section on alerting and calming regulation supports. Being autistic myself I found the information more easy to conceptualize when provided with visuals and in context.
Needless to say, this book is everything I'm trying to pursue and emulate in my work (my passion) everyday and I want to continue to study my notes from it and find creative ways to utilize it. There's something really profound and beautiful and fulfilling about empowering autistic clients by engaging in creative (utilizing their special interests) child-led practices that honor who they are at their core to meet their goals. I yearn to be able to do this even more in-depth than I am now as a para, and I hope that one day I'll be allowed and given the agency and position to do it more comprehensively.
Displaying 1 of 1 review