by Helen Driver with Henrietta McLachlan.

The 104-page book provides detailed information about how to recognise Gestalt Language Processors, strategies to develop autistic individual’s skills through the different stages of Gestalt Processing and how to support their communication and emotional wellbeing through a Total Communication Approach..

The book adopts a broad Total Communication Approach. It considers the individual’s interaction with the world around them, their understanding of situations and language and explains how current neuro-affirming practices can be adapted. While the six stages of Gestalt Language Processing as identified by Marge Blanc (2023) are followed, it differs in terms of some of the guidance and support set out in the Natural Language Acquisition Protocol.

It has been written to be accessible to parents, learning support assistants, teachers and speech and language therapists to use in their daily work in mainstream settings and specialist provisions. It is the core reading material for the accredited course Supporting Gestalt Language Processing – a Total Communication Approach.

It addresses many areas including:

• Neurodiversity - The implications for a Total Communication Approach
• What is Gestalt Language Processing?
• Identifying Gestalt Language Processing and the stages
• The importance of echolalia
• Observing and monitoring progress
• Supporting children and young people with Stages 1 and 2 of Gestalt Language Processing
• Meeting individual sensory needs and supporting non-speaking children and young people
• Behaviour support
• Supporting children and young people with Stages 3 of Gestalt Language Processing
• Supporting children and young people in continuing to develop self-generated language
• Social anxiety and supporting older children