How to Model for Your Stage 1 GLP

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A post shared by Halle Demchuk, MSc(A), SLP (@haepislp)

Our gestalt language processors' first step in their language development is acquiring verbatim scripts or phrases that are meaningful to them, and using them spontaneously later in other contexts (this is referred to as "delayed echolalia" or using "gestalts").

The great thing is that our GLPs will acquire phrases when they are modelled naturally, but there are a few considerations we should keep in mind, such as:

1. modelling phrases that will be easier to mitigate (mix and match) later in Stage 2, and can be used easily across contexts. Instead of modeling "I want apple," I would more likely model "give me that!," as that can be modelled in SO MANY MORE contexts.
2. using varied intonation and giving your phrases a musical quality is often more appealing to GLPs as they more often attach meaning to the way a script sounds than the actual words
3. narrating from the child's perspective (such as "pick me up!" instead of "you want to be picked up") helps attach meaning to common phrases the child may hear and want to say. By narrating, we are filling the child's environment with new potential language to pick up, and by using declarative language, we are taking any pressure off to respond in a certain way.
   
4. following the child's lead and interests will allow for the child to be intrinsically motivated, which transfers over to communication as well

The shift from modelling "survival language" (sentence strips, single words, labelling) can feel like a big one, but your GLP will develop more flexible language if we meet them where they are at as gestalt language processors. 

by Halle Demchuk, SLP

Paediatric SLP | GLP-Trained Clinician | Owner of HAEPI SLP