Connect Therapy Services

07/11/2023

I love listening to podcasts to help me learn more and hear different perspectives! But it can be overwhelming with so many options to decide where to start in your learning journey!

I've searched to find podcasts about gestalt language processing and reviewed my favorite episodes based on the target audience (parents or therapists) and the information difficulty level to help you pick the episodes best suited to you!

05/25/2023

Stuck single words are one of the most confusing concepts when starting out with gestalt language processing. We hear that a GLP uses long scripts, but yet, many also have a lot of single words. When determining if a child is GLP and understanding how to support them, there is often confusion about single words.

The key is to NOT expand on single words, because your efforts will probably be wasted. Expansion is an analytic approach and it won't be successful long term for a GLP.

Instead, acknowledge, figure out the meaning, and try out some flexible stage 1 gestalts to see if something matches what they are trying to communicate.

Remember that it is not a one size fits all approach with GLP and NLA. These are some examples, but it's important to observe your client or child and ask questions with family to figure out what the meaning is and what to potentially model.

05/24/2023

When identifying if someone is a gestalt language processor, we tend to think first of scripting from shows and movies and immediate echolalia, but there are some signs that are less obvious to most. With children who are non-speaking or minimally speaking, this is especially important!

Many parents express that they've heard of GLP but their child doesn't use long scripts, so they assumed their child didn't fall in this category. However, non-speaking of minimally speaking autistic children may also be GLP, and discovering this may help us to provide higher quality therapy to support their language development.

Some signs include
1. Unintelligible speech
2. Love for music
3. Single words
4. Lack of progress
5. Repetitive use of media

05/23/2023

Language modeling is so important for all children learning to communicate and use language. Some children may be analytic language processors and others may gestalt language processors. They may be using a form of AAC, spoken words, or multi modal communication. They may be focusing on using signs and gestures! Here are ideas of how to provide language modeling during meal times and snack routines for all types of early communicators!

05/22/2023

Do you have a child or client who you suspect is a gestalt language processor? Are you wondering how to best support them to move through the stages of language development?

The main goal of stage 1 is to provide the child with models of stage 1 gestalts. Sometimes we get confused that stage 1 gestalts are just using phrases when we talk to the child. While this is somewhat true, there is a lot more to it than just that! We have to be thoughtful in the gestalts we choose to model and the way that we model in order to best support our child’s growth.

Check out the who, what, when, how, and why of modeling for a stage 1 glp!�
Follow along as we give tips and ideas for modeling and picking stage 1 gestalts!

05/21/2023

At Connect Therapy Services, we offer AAC evaluations to help children and their families determine the best communication system to support their language development now and as the grow!

We firmly believe that every child has the potential to use AAC and that every child deserves the chance to try. There are no prerequisites to starting with AAC.

Our process helps us determine WHAT system a child may benefit from rather than if they are ready to use AAC.

Our trialing process also includes access to a trial device to use and explore in your own home for at least 2 weeks. This gives your child and family a chance to how AAC can support communication throughout your entire day rather than just within a 60 minute weekly session.

If you’re interested in learning more or getting an AAC evaluation, visit our website or message us here!

05/20/2023

There are many different ways to get therapy services for your child and various funding sources. Each option has benefits and disadvantages and each varies in the amount of out of pocket costs for the family.

1. Insurance
2. Private Pay
3. Early Intervention programs
4. School services
5. Scholarships

For more detailed information… visit our blog to read the post! Link is in our bio

05/19/2023

Evaluations are important for starting therapy with a new client as well as for monitoring progress over time. With complex communicators, evaluations can be intimidating for families and therapists! Many standardized assessment tools give us very little meaningful information for complex communicators. Families may feel like the goals don’t represent their true priorities or the report focuses on deficits rather than current skills and strengths.

At Connect Therapy Services, we approach evaluations from a different lens. Each evaluation is individualized based on the child’s strengths and needs as well as what the family is seeking support with. We don’t use standardized assessments unless it’s beneficial to the child. Instead, we focus on time on informal assessments, language samples, observation, and parent interview to better understand the whole child!

Evaluations are done at your home so that the child and parents are comfortable, which often leads to more realistic representation of the child’s abilities. Our reports won’t leave you feeling down about all the things your child CANNOT do.

Our reports are strengths based and focus on communication skills rather than deficits. We use the strengths the child has to help them continue to progress in their language development.

Our goals reflect the child’s strengths and interests, and they take into account the family’s priorities. We incorporate multi-modal communication and AAC into our plan and goals to help your child communicate and interact best!

Visit our blog to learn more about our evaluation approach and reach out, if you’re interested in scheduling!

05/18/2023