NLA Stage 1: Echolalia

Here are some tips for your gestalt language processor in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA, Blanc 2012) Stage 1: the echolalia stage. In this stage, you may hear your child picking up scripts or phrases from their environment or media sources and using them to communicate. GLP's process language as a whole or in "chunks" which is why they are not always intelligible at this stage or you may understand a word or two from their gestalt utterances. Delayed echolalia is the term that describes repeating a phrase verbatim at a later time. Immediate echolalia is when you hear the child immediately "echo" what you have said or a phrase they have heard and is used to learn language and store it for future use. GLP's typically have an emotional connection to the gestalt phrases they pick up and use and can be from their favorite shows or songs. Always acknowledge your child's communication! Try repeating it back to them! For example : “Yes!, The wheels on the bus go round and round!”