Gestalt Language Processing and DIR Floortime®
What is gestalt language development and can it be supported through Floortime®?
Gestalt language processing is a term that is used for individuals that develop language in chunks or phrases with single words appearing later in development. When a child is a gestalt language processor their basic units of language are phrases or chunks of language. The term echolalia refers to when a child repeats a script, intonation or a string of words either immediately or delayed. There is very little research about gestalt language development in general, and I have not been able to find any research in regards to the DIR® model and gestalt language development. However, I do know there are many speech-language pathologists that work with the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) that are actively working together to begin the much needed research. Having a speech therapy background I find myself drawn to learning more about gestalt language development and how we can use the framework with DIR-Floortime®. I am going to attempt to describe my ideas and wonders around a particular case of mine to the best of my ability
Ralph is a 13 year old bilingual boy diagnosed with autism. He lives in a very loving home with his mom and dad. Mom only speaks Spanish, and it is important to note that Ralph can communicate between the two languages fluently. Ralph uses spontaneous language and can communicate wants, needs, and ideas with communication partners. Ralph is passionate about youtube videos and uses these videos to help him process his feelings. One day Ralph and his parents arrived for their therapy session and he was in distress. Very upset at his parents, hitting his father, using curse words, and threatening to call the police. He began to show me a youtube video that was flashing the color red. I immediately knew he was communicating to me that he was angry although he did not verbally say, “I am angry”. I sat down with him and he started to script a TV commercial that was talking about priests in the Catholic church that abuse children. I knew at that moment that he was not telling me he was abused, rather he was feeling like he was mistreated by his parents. I responded like any floortimer would and simply said, “wow, that sounds awful, I am so sorry that happened to you,”. He immediately started to relax his shoulders and I could see that he felt understood at that moment. Ralph started scripting another TV commercial talking about President Trump saving America and saying things like, “We have to raise money for this campaign or we will not survive”. I continued to agree with him and be patient while he processed what he was feeling. His father guided him to begin drawing, and as he started drawing out a prescription drug logo and scripting the commercial, my wonders grew. Was Ralph communicating that he thought he was treated unfairly by his parents by scripting about the abusive priest? What about the Trump commercial, was he seeking a hero? Did he draw the prescription pill because he was trying to communicate that he needed support to feel better? Even though Ralph is using spontaneous language the majority of the time are his emotions stuck in the stage 1 of gestalt language development? Is this why he uses scripts to process his feelings when he is distressed?
Because there is little research about DIR-Floortime® and gestalt language processing I feel that using this platform is a safe place to share my wonders. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that continuing to foster a strong relationship with Ralph and his parents will give us the foundation needed to see him grow. After we finished drawing we went outside and had a lovely interaction between Ralph and his parents. I saw his mom smiling and playing and she genuinely seemed happy to be with her family. The joy was contagious, and we all had many laughs. The moments they shared together built a safe and trusted experience for Ralph. As they were walking out the door Ralph hugged me and said, “Thank you Ashley, My dad is back and the abusive priest is gone”. I smiled and assured him that I was very happy for him. As I shut the door, I took a moment to thank the Lord for bringing this family into my life and for the journey we will have together.
From the Desk of Ashley Gillespie