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18 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication ApproachIn the scenario when the teacher does not understand why child S has responded with %u2018Do you want a drink?%u2019 they may acknowledge that they received S%u2019s response as here:For further examples of encouraging Stage 1 of Gestalt Language Processing see Chapter 5. Cohn et al (2023) reviewed research on how echolalia is responded to and outlines the importance of teachers responding to echolalia. The review concludes that %u2018There are many communicative functions that echolalia might serve the individual: some of these; requests, comments, turn-taking, and information providing, are strikingly similar, if not exactly the same, as those used by individuals without echolalia. This perhaps suggests that individuals with echolalia are attempting to use language in the same ways as others, with the major difference, being the words spoken%u2019. When a child or young person uses echolalia, we need to respond as it is their communication and has a function.3.3 LEARNED SOCIAL PHRASESSocial phrases are learned across all languages and cultures e.g. %u2018Good morning%u2019, %u2018How are you?%u2019, %u2018Have a good day.%u2019 We commonly start by repeating back such phrases to learn their use. Whether a Gestalt Language Processor or Analytical Language Processor, a child or young person may be learning these repeatedly used social phrases. They convey the meaning mapped onto the words and the child or young person learns them from their use in a repeated social context. They convey an intended meaning mapped onto the words and are therefore not gestalts.3.4 PERSEVERATIVE SPEECHSome children and young people with speech language and communication needs use perseverative speech. Perseverative speech is where a child repeats a set of sounds, words or phrases over and over again. The source can be the repetition of speech previously spoken by others or self but careful consideration suggests that these verbalisations do not have communicative intent, that is, they are not used to try to convey a meaning. Perseverative speech is usually triggered by a certain stimulus.Do you want a drink?Do you want a drink?OK you said%u2018Do you wanta drink?%u2019Good morningGood morning