Connect Therapy Services

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!

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!

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!