Thanks to @mynookly and for everyone who voted, to help our "Gestalt Language Learning" story win the Judges Choice Award!

We have been loving using Nookly to create personalized social stories - you can create your own character and write your own story (in a matter of MINUTES), or adapt one from the shared library. We've been using Nookly for creating stories about everything from using AAC devices, to social communication, to gestalt language learning. Our kids love seeing "themselves" represented in the stories as well!

Click here to read Halle's story, and use our code: HAEPISLP1 to try 1 month of Nookly for free!

I recently presented on gestalt language processing for NOSM University, Canada's only independent medical school, on GLP for healthcare professionals in the North. While this is the target audience, the webinar is available for free to everyone and would be appropriate for parents, professionals, or anyone who would like to learn!

Follow along while we dive into the research, look at the Natural Language Acquisition stages in depth (including mock therapy videos), and discuss implications for GLPs with AAC.

Watch the webinar (and get access to the slides) here!

The process of Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) that gestalt language processors (GLPs) go through can sometimes be complicated to envision... so let's sweeten the deal with The Chocolate Analogy!

Introducing our new-and-Marge-approved Chocolate Analogy -- updated to include real child gestalts and demonstrating the progression through all 6 Stages of Natural Language Acquisition (from Stage 1 gestalts/"scripts" to Stage 6 fully-developed self-generated grammar). This sweet analogy provides a visualization of how our GLPs move through each of the NLA stages.

The chocolate bars themselves each represent a full, unmitigated gestalt. If we break off a row (or part of the gestalt), we can combine with other rows in a process known as mitigation. After this, we can break down even further to the individual squares of chocolate, which is finally when we hear those freed words, and can start combining referentially. Lastly, the individual squares can be combined in beginning grammar to form novel, self-generated language.

If you liked our original Chocolate Analogy, check this one out for a more accurate representation through ALL 6 stages.

Big thanks to Marge Blanc, author of Natural Language Acquisition (2012) for helping us get this to you!

P.S., You can download the PDF handout version of our chocolate analogy (below) on our resources page, or by clicking here!

This is one of my favourite free resources I've been sending to families who are interested in learning more about gestalt language processing and the stages of Natural Language Acquisition (NLA).

Instagram is great for sharing information about NLA, but there's nothing like hearing directly from the leaders in the field in an easily digestible and comprehensive one hour, on-demand video training.

Natural Communication also offers full courses on NLA for professionals and parents wanting a more in-depth look into NLA. I'm currently enrolled in their English course now (their original course was in Spanish!).

I also love all of the free handouts on their website. Definitely check them out if you are on your GLP and NLA journey!