An Overview of Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition

Course Number: ABIO2211

When: Available February 21, 2022 – February 21, 2027

Where: Video available under “materials & requirements” once you register. Audio available on the Speechie Side Up podcast

Description: In this session, we discussed gestalt language processing and how to identify a gestalt learner. We discussed the need to identify a gestalt language learner when assessing progress and explored what treatment would look like in relation to natural language acquisition.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professional that is licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Any professional who works with pediatric clients.
Any professional who is seeking to learn more about AAC and gestalt language learners.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

Any professional who is not familiar with the term AAC.
Any professional that does not currently work with any pediatric clients and does not plan to in the near future.

Presenters:

VENITA LITVACK, M.A, CCC-SLP

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

ALEXANDRIA ZACHOS, MS, CCC-SLP/L

Alexandria Zachos is an SLP, a business owner, a wife, and a mom. She is passionate about teaching fellow SLPs and parents about gestalt language processing and reframing how SLPs are taught to respond to echolalia. She is using her skills to spread the career-changing knowledge of Natural Language Acquisition while helping parents and speech-language pathologists turn their new knowledge into action.

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Alexandria Zachos has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Alexandria was compensated for her time making this podcourse. Alexandria owns Meaningful Speech LLC, which she owns and operates online.

Alexandria Zachos has no-nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

In-Kind Support was provided by the following companies through product offerings, services, and/or discounts to giveaway to attendees at no charge: Vooks, The Speech Chick, The Digital SLP, Swivel Scheduler, Creative Speech Lab, What Should Danny Do?, SLP Now, Bridges, The Speech Tree Co, SLP Toolkit, Northern Speech Services, Speech Time Fun, Peachie Speechie, SLP Nerdcast, and Tassel Learning.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Define gestalt language processing (GLP)
Identify 3 characteristics of gestalt language processing
Describe at least 2 treatment strategies for gestalt language processors
Identify 3 reasons why it’s important to identify gestalt language processors

Agenda

10 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
5 min	Description of gestalt language processing (GLP)
10 min	Overview of GLP characteristics
15 min	Discussion of why SLPs should know about GLP
15 min	Discussion of treatment strategies and goal writing
5 min	Closing, Discussion, and Questions