Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
Tracks
7
Advocacy
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Disability
Ethics
Evidence based practice
Neuro-developmental disability
Neurodiversity
Professional practice
| Saturday, June 14, 2025 |
| 11:05 AM - 11:15 AM |
| Knowledge Hub | Halls MNO, Ground Level |
Overview
Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Dr Lucy Bryant, Gaenor Dixon, Caroline Bowen, Katharine Beals and Howard Shane
Details
⏫ Rapid impact
⏲️ 11.05am - 11.15am
⌛10-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
⏲️ 11.05am - 11.15am
⌛10-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
Presenter
Dr Bronwyn Hemsley
The University Of Technology Sydney
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AMPresentation summary
Background: “Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA)” (Blanc, 2012) is contentious in the literature, described by some as being neurodiversity-affirming (Haydock et al., 2024) and by others as being non-neurodiversity affirming (Beals, 2024; Hutchins et al., 2024; Venker & Lorang, 2024). Such divergent views pose a dilemma for clinicians striving to follow both E4BP guidelines (Speech Pathology Australia, 2021) and provide neurodiversity-affirming services. In this context, proliferating claims about GLP/NLA warrant careful examination, to ensure clinicians know of any relevant research to inform their ‘data-driven’ decisions (as mandated by Speech Pathology Australia, 2021).
Aim: To (a) systematically review the research on GLP/NLA (Blanc, 2012), and (b) examine claims made about GLP/NLA on publicly available social media sites. A comparison of the outcomes of these two aims, identifying alignment with or divergence from research evidence should inform guidelines for speech pathologists wanting to consider E4BP in their practices with autistic children.
Method: A systematic review protocol was published and the review conducted in 2024. A social media scan collected and analysed the content of publicly available social media posts to identify claims - and any evidence cited in support of those claims - about GLP/NLA. In the posts, areas of alignment with and divergence from both the systematic review and the literature on GLP/NLA were identified.
Results: The systematic review located no studies related to GLP/NLA treatment/therapy outcomes, whether for communication, language, or behaviour, which has implications for GLP/NLA information spread online.
Conclusion: The lack of research applying GLP/NLA approaches with autistic children is concerning, considering its widespread implementation in NDIS-funded speech pathology services in the context of scarce therapy resources. Clinical implications for speech pathologists providing services to children who use echolalia to communicate will be provided to support E4BP in this emergent area of research.
Aim: To (a) systematically review the research on GLP/NLA (Blanc, 2012), and (b) examine claims made about GLP/NLA on publicly available social media sites. A comparison of the outcomes of these two aims, identifying alignment with or divergence from research evidence should inform guidelines for speech pathologists wanting to consider E4BP in their practices with autistic children.
Method: A systematic review protocol was published and the review conducted in 2024. A social media scan collected and analysed the content of publicly available social media posts to identify claims - and any evidence cited in support of those claims - about GLP/NLA. In the posts, areas of alignment with and divergence from both the systematic review and the literature on GLP/NLA were identified.
Results: The systematic review located no studies related to GLP/NLA treatment/therapy outcomes, whether for communication, language, or behaviour, which has implications for GLP/NLA information spread online.
Conclusion: The lack of research applying GLP/NLA approaches with autistic children is concerning, considering its widespread implementation in NDIS-funded speech pathology services in the context of scarce therapy resources. Clinical implications for speech pathologists providing services to children who use echolalia to communicate will be provided to support E4BP in this emergent area of research.
Refrences
Beals, K. P. (2024), A linguist's take on Blanc's proposition of gestalt language processing and natural language acquisition: An implausible theory at odds with the research. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00309-8,
Blanc, M. (2012). Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Self-Published, Communication Development Center, Madison Wisconsin.
Haydock, A., Harrison, L., Baldwin, K., & Leadbitter, K. (2024). Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Autism, 28(5), 1055-1059. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241234598
Hutchins TL, Knox SE, Fletcher EC. Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy. Autism Dev Lang Impair. 2024 May 22;9:23969415241249944. doi: 10.1177/23969415241249944. PMID: 38784430; PMCID: PMC11113044.
Speech Pathology Australia (2021). Evidence-Based Practice for Speech Pathology in Australia. Speech Pathology Australia, Melbourne Australia.
Venker, C. E., & Lorang, E. (2024). Continuing the conversation about echolalia and gestalt language development: A response to Haydock, Harrison, Baldwin, and Leadbitter. Autism, Online first, https://doi.org/10.11.77/13623613241287577
Blanc, M. (2012). Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Self-Published, Communication Development Center, Madison Wisconsin.
Haydock, A., Harrison, L., Baldwin, K., & Leadbitter, K. (2024). Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Autism, 28(5), 1055-1059. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241234598
Hutchins TL, Knox SE, Fletcher EC. Natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing: A critical analysis of their application to autism and speech language therapy. Autism Dev Lang Impair. 2024 May 22;9:23969415241249944. doi: 10.1177/23969415241249944. PMID: 38784430; PMCID: PMC11113044.
Speech Pathology Australia (2021). Evidence-Based Practice for Speech Pathology in Australia. Speech Pathology Australia, Melbourne Australia.
Venker, C. E., & Lorang, E. (2024). Continuing the conversation about echolalia and gestalt language development: A response to Haydock, Harrison, Baldwin, and Leadbitter. Autism, Online first, https://doi.org/10.11.77/13623613241287577
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Prof Bronwyn Hemsley is the Head of Speech Pathology at UTS and a Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia.
Katharine Beals
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AM**********
Dr Caroline Bowen
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AM**********
Dr Lucy Bryant
University Of Technology Sydney
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AM**********
Gaenor Dixon
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AM**********
Howard Shane
Is it neurodiversity-affirming practice or not? Systematic review and social media scan of Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Implications for quality, evidence-based speech pathology professionals.
11:05 AM - 11:15 AM**********
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
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