Hey everyone. Kelly Mahler, occupational therapist, and I just wanted to take the time to talk about Interoception and Gestalt Language Processing. Now, if this term Gestalt Language Processing or GLP is new to you, you are not alone! This was a new concept to me a few years ago. I am still learning about GLP from amazing professionals out there like Marge Blanc and also Alexandra Zachos from Meaningful Speech. I’m not here to talk exclusively about Gestalt Language Processing, but rather want to discuss how we can validate and support interoception experiences for Gestalt Language Processors. To get us started, here are 3 tips that are currently guiding me on this learning journey.
Tip 1: Understand key differences between Analytic and Gestalt Language Processing
Tip number one is to understand that we have different language processing styles and know about the two main types of language processing or language development.
First there is Analytical Language Processing, which is where a person acquires or starts to learn language in single words and slowly builds to being able to put those words together into phrases and eventually sentences.
There is also a second style which is Gestalt Language Processing. For GLPs, they learn language in chunks. They start out with chunks of words strung together (a.k.a. gestalts), and that chunk or that unit has a single meaning. Over time, many GLPs begin to process and learn language and get to single units. So, it’s a different way of learning language and a highly valid and meaningful process.
So, tip number one is really just knowing there’s different language processing styles, and learning as much as you can from experts who understand these topics far more than me. This can greatly enhance the interoception supports you are offering.
Tip 2: Modify The Interoception Curriculum for Gestalt Language Processors
Once we learn more about different language processing styles, then we need to know about our client and what processing style they use. We can use this information to modify our interoception supports.
We talk about this all the time: interoception work needs to be individualized.
It has to meet each person’s unique learning needs, trauma history, regulation level, language processing styles, etc. And so we really need to understand how to modify things like The Interoception Curriculum if we are supporting a client who might be a Gestalt Language Processor.
Now if you are anything like me, I was wondering HOW can I modify The Interoception Curriculum? Well, thankfully we have an amazing course coming out in just a few weeks that is taught by Caroline Gaddy and Rachel Dorsey, both of whom are autistic speech and language therapists. Caroline and Rachel are going to answer this question for us. In the course they are going to be giving us so many practical tips and strategies about how to adapt interoception supports for Gestalt language processors. I cannot wait to take this course and learn along with all of you!!
Tip 3. Be Mindful of Role Trauma and Mental Health can Play in Expression of Internal Feelings for Gestalt Language Processors
My final tip is to keep in mind the potential trauma and the mental health needs of Gestalt Language Processors.
Potentially, GLPs could be living in a world where other people are not aware or affirming of their unique language processing style. GLPs potentially could be using gestalts (or echolalia of phrases) to express their inner feels. And if other people don’t understand Gestalt Language Processing, GLPs are at high risk of having their internal experiences invalidated, ignored, dismissed or misunderstood. They might be using gestalts to communicate how their body feels, but these attempts are considered meaningless or even worse others work to ‘extinguish’ these highly meaningful attempts at communication.
We know from so many people that chronic invalidation is very traumatizing and can lead to a lot of mental health issues and a lot of confusion and mistrust about the way your body feels.
So, we really need to hold all of this in mind and continue learning, growing, and being better in the supports that we’re offering, including interoception supports.
I cannot wait to continue learning about this topic along with all of you. Stay tuned for this amazing course taught by Caroline and Rachel.
Until next time.
Register for the course with Caroline and Rachel!
