Gestalt Language Development
Gestalt Language Development is where children learn language in chunks or scripts instead of one word at a time. There are six stages in gestalt language development.
1. Echolalia: a child uses scripts or phrases to convey meaning
Example: Saying “It’s time for a snack!” every time they're hungry.
2. Mitigated Echolalia: a child changes, shortens, or combines their gestalts
Example: Changing “Time to go to the park” to “Time to go!”
3. Single Words: a child breaks apart their gestalts into words or chunks
Example: Using “Go” from one phrase and “car” from another to say “Go car!”
4. Beginning Grammar: a child creates their own word combinations. They are not memorized scripts anymore, they are original thoughts.
Example: “Want juice” or “More cookie.”
5. Advanced Grammar: the child forms longer, original sentences with proper grammar
Example: “I want to play outside now.”
6. Complex Grammar: language is mature, flexible, contains different tenses, and conversational turn-taking
Example: “Can we go to the park after lunch?”
Speech therapy can help children move through each stage of gestalt language development to produce flexible, original language.
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