Music Therapy & Gestalt Language Processing

Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is a fascinating and unique approach to language development, especially in children, including those on the Autism spectrum. Rather than learning language in isolated words, children who process language this way tend to acquire it in larger chunks or "gestalts," which can often appear as phrases, sentences, or even scripts from media and songs. In their head, these scripts are associated with a certain meaning.

Key Stages of Language Development in GLP

To recap, the stages of language development in GLP can help guide parents and educators in understanding where a child may be in their language learning journey:

1. Delayed Echolalia: The child repeats words or phrases they have heard from external sources, without immediately using them in communication.

2. Mitigation: The child begins to modify or mix the scripts they've learned, trying to apply them in new contexts.

3. Single Words and Two-Word Combinations: The child starts to combine words or use simple words to communicate.

4. Simple Grammar: As the child progresses, they start forming simple sentences with grammar rules.

Complex Grammar: The child uses more sophisticated grammatical structures.

5. Advanced Language Integration: The child is able to use language flexibly, integrating various learned scripts and patterns in fluid conversation.

Identifying a Gestalt Language Processor

There are specific signs you can look for to determine if a child is a GLP. These may include:

● Using Long Scripts: The child may recite long phrases or passages from TV shows, movies, or songs.

● Echolalia: This can either be immediate (repeating something right after hearing it) or delayed (repeating something from an earlier time, such as a few days or weeks ago).

● Unintelligible Strings of Language: Sometimes the child may string together words in ways that sound like babbling, especially in early language development.

● Expressing Rich Intonation: GLPs often use a wide range of vocal tones and pitches, reflecting the intonations of their source material, such as songs or media.

● Using Single Words: They may initially communicate through single words, which often come from phrases they've heard or songs they’ve enjoyed.

● Using Reverse Pronouns: They may use pronouns incorrectly, often saying “you” when they mean “I” or vice versa, as they mimic language patterns from external sources.

Why Music Therapy Helps

The connection between music therapy and GLP is especially compelling. GLPs often have a strong affinity for language with rich intonation, and many children on the Autism spectrum are drawn to the rhythm, melody, and repetition found in music.

Music therapy can help in several ways:

● Reinforces Intonation and Rhythm: Since GLPs often learn language through scripts that feature distinct patterns of intonation (such as those from songs or media), music therapy allows them to engage with and internalize these patterns in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Music’s rhythm and melody can help GLPs practice prosody, or the melodic features of speech, which is often a challenge for children on the Autism spectrum.

● Promotes Language Structure and Development: The predictable and repetitive nature of music—like nursery rhymes or familiar songs—can help GLPs understand the structure of language. The song lyrics, which often have simple grammar and phrasing, can act as a scaffold for more complex speech patterns over time.

● Non-Verbal Communication and Expression: For GLPs, expressing themselves verbally can sometimes be difficult or confusing. Music therapy can offer an alternative form of expression, allowing children to communicate through rhythm, melody, and movement, and singing. This form of communication can also help children feel understood, even if they are not yet using verbal language fluidly.

● Encourages Social Interaction: Music therapy often involves group settings or interaction with a therapist. Through musical activities such as singing together or playing instruments, GLPs can practice social skills like turn-taking, eye contact, and joint attention in a low-pressure and engaging context.

● Stimulates Motivation and Engagement: Many GLPs are drawn to media that uses catchy songs or highly structured language, so music therapy capitalizes on their interests. When the therapy aligns with something they enjoy (such as favorite songs or types of music), it increases motivation and participation.

Music Therapy Techniques for GLPs

Here are a few specific music therapy techniques that can be used to support GLPs’ language development:

1. Song-Based Language Modeling:

● Example: Using familiar songs or jingles that the child already knows (like "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "The Wheels on the Bus"), you can pause the song and allow the child to finish the phrase or part of the song. This encourages the child to fill in missing words and practice verbalizing in a familiar, structured context.

Goal: To reinforce the use of scripted language, move from rote memorization to meaningful verbal interaction, and eventually transition to more flexible use of language.

2. Imitating Rhythm and Melody:

● Example: Start with clapping, tapping, or using simple instruments like a tambourine or drum to create rhythms. Once the child is comfortable, introduce simple melodic patterns(singing notes or short phrases). Have the child imitate the rhythms or melodies with their own voice or instruments.

Goal: Develop rhythm skills and auditory processing abilities, which can help with language fluency and prosody (intonation, stress, and rhythm of speech).

3. Interactive Songwriting:

● Example: Engage the child in creating their own songs based on their interests. For

instance, you might ask the child to provide words or themes they want in the song (like animals, colors, or actions), and you can help them put it into a simple song structure. The goal is to have them use their words or phrases in a creative, expressive way.

Goal: Encourage the child to use language creatively, expressively, and in new ways, which helps transition from scripted language to more flexible communication.

4. Echo Songs and Call-and-Response:

● Example: Sing a phrase or short sentence, and have the child echo it back to you. This can help with language comprehension and usage. You can also alternate lines of a song in a call-and-response style.

Goal: Reinforce learning of new language and phrasing by echoing, which allows the child to practice language in a structured and repetitive way.

6. Using Familiar Scripts in Song Form:

● Example: If the child frequently uses scripts from movies or TV shows, you could incorporate these scripts into songs or musical patterns. For example, if the child frequently says, "I like to move it, move it," from the movie Madagascar, you can take this phrase and turn it into a song with a melody and rhythm.

Goal: Help the child express their learned scripts in a more musical, engaging format, which may help them integrate those phrases into more flexible, spontaneous language use.

7. Music-Based Visual Supports:

● Example: Use visual supports in conjunction with songs. For instance, visual cards or picture symbols can be paired with music to help the child associate meaning with the language they hear in the song.

Goal: Assist in bridging the gap between verbal language and visual cues, which can support comprehension and language use.

What Parents and Educators Can Do

● Be Patient and Observant: It might be hard to understand a GLP’s meaning at first, especially if they are using scripts learned from media. But over time, with support, they will start to integrate those scripts into more meaningful communication.

● Support Their Interests: If a child enjoys a particular TV show, song, or movie, consider using those sources as tools for expanding their language and social skills.

● Encourage Social Interaction: Even if the language is initially learned through scripts, providing opportunities for the child to interact socially will help them apply what they’ve learned in a more flexible and creative way.

By incorporating music therapy into a child’s development, especially for GLPs, it creates a rich, engaging, and effective way to build language, communication, and social skills. Music’s natural rhythm, structure, and repetition align well with the way GLPs process and learn language, making it a powerful tool in their growth and development.