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. 2024 May 22:9:23969415241249944.
doi: 10.1177/23969415241249944. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

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

Tiffany L Hutchins  1 , Sophie E Knox  1 , E Cheryl Fletcher  2
Affiliations

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

Tiffany L Hutchins et al. Autism Dev Lang Impair. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders; gestalt language‌; language impairment /disorder; speech and language therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Continuous development theories are analogous to the growth of a plant. It starts with a few leaves and gradually grows in size and maturity. Discontinuous theories are analogous to the development of a butterfly: progressing through invariant, qualitatively distinct stages (caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A model of continuous development with superimposed false stages and their implications for practice. The supports noted here are example from the NLA protocol (Blanc, 2012, 2024; Blanc et al., 2023).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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