Autism & Echolalia
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Many Autistic individuals independently meet their goals, but some require additional support (such as speech therapy) in order to thrive. Our goal is to provide Autistic individuals with the help they need to move toward independence.
Some communication differences we may see in Autistic communicators include (but are not limited to):
strongly preferred topics
starting/maintaining conversations with neurotypical peers
difficulty understanding unspoken social rules
speech/language delay
echolalia/gestalt language
loss of words/language regression
understanding nonverbal cues
It's important to remember that autism is not a disorder to be cured but a unique way of thinking and processing information.
What is Gestalt Language?
Gestalt language processing (also referred to as delayed echolalia, scripting, or natural language acquisition) is a language acquisition framework to describe how many Autistic individuals acquire language. Unlike traditional (analytic) language learning, where children first learn individual words and then combine them into sentences, GLPs begin learning language in larger chunks or "gestalts." This can manifest as repeating phrases or scripts heard from others.
It is possible to use a mix of GLP and analytic processing features (Dual Processing). While we often see gestalt language processing in Autistic individuals, non-autistic individuals can also be GLPs.
Gestalt language processing is normal and is not a disorder, and many children move through this process to learn how to flexibly use language. Other individuals may get “stuck” in the early stages and would benefit from the support of a speech-language pathologist to help them move towards flexible speech.
By understanding GLP, parents can better support their child's communication development and avoid unnecessary frustrations.
Your child may be a GLP if they…
➜ Repeat the same words or phrases the same way every time
➜ Repeat quotes from movies, books, songs, or things they’ve heard others say
➜ Replay the same clips (or specific moments from a clip) repeatedly
➜ Speak with a distinct melody or intonation, even if their words are unclear
➜ Hum/sing, but they aren’t speaking yet
➜ Dislike it when others sing
➜ Mix up pronouns (such as saying, “Are you okay?” when they get hurt)
➜ Are “stuck” using only single words
➜ Have difficulty answering questions; may repeat your question instead of answering it.
➜ Seem out of context when they speak
Unique minds deserve a unique approach.
“When you meet one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism”
— Dr. Stephen Shore, Autistic professor of Special Education at Adelphi University
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy focuses on celebrating the strengths and differences of Autistic individuals. This is different from the traditional medical model, which identifies these differences as “problems” that need to be “fixed.” A neurodiversity-affirming approach, combined with an understanding of GLP, can provide a powerful framework for supporting Autistic individuals. As ND-affirming therapists, we will:
Affirm clients through their special interests and language style to create a safe and accepting environment where autistic individuals feel heard, understood, and valued.
Support sensory needs to help individuals regulate their emotions and more easily access language.
Focus on meaning over mechanics: Prioritizing understanding and being understood over perfect grammar or pronunciation.
Consider AAC devices for all clients who have difficulty reliably communicating using spoken words.
