Page 29 - Demo

21 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approach4.4 PHYSICAL GESTALTS OR ECHOPRAXIAPhysical gestalts are also known as echopraxia. Echopraxia means a repeated physical movement or series of movements and is a word derived from %u2018echo%u2019 %u2013 repeating back and %u2018praxia%u2019 meaning performance of movements. Odland (2011) explains how echopraxia can refer to %u2018a desire to mimic other%u2019s behaviors%u2019 and that %u2018echopraxia occurs in a %u2018semi-automatic%u2019 manner%u2019. We all show repetitive behaviour e.g. tapping feet, nail biting, organising, playing sports, and looking at our phones. Both repetitive behaviours and physical gestalts serve a purpose. However, there is a difference between physical gestalts and repetitive behaviour. The physical gestalt can convey meaning equivalent to a spoken script. Echopraxia can be short e.g. making the same sad face as a character in a cartoon or it can be as complicated as the child or young person acting out a full scene from the cartoon using their whole body and facial expressions. A repetitive behaviour is different and does not convey meaning and may be used to support emotional regulation, concentration or for other reasons.It is important to:%u2022 Respond to physical gestalts, investigate the source and understand what they mean%u2022 Differentiate between physical sensory responses, repetitive behaviours and physical gestalts and observe where they overlap.Example of EchopraxiaA child or young person may use the exact dance routine from a video clip.