What is Gestalt Language Processing?

Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a communication style often used by Autistic children, where they process language in chunks or “gestalts” rather than word by word. Instead of constructing sentences from smaller, isolated parts, they tend to learn and repeat whole phrases or expressions that they’ve heard from others. These phrases might not always be understood in the typical context but serve as a way for the individual to express themselves or process information.

When seeking speech therapy for your child, it is important to use GLP-friendly approaches if your child is a Gestalt Language Processor. One helpful tip is to use first-person language. If your child falls, try saying, “I'm okay!” or “Ouch, that hurt my hand” so that if your child ties it to that emotional experience and uses it again, it is already in language that others will understand.