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55 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication ApproachApproach. A non-speaking child or young person may be a Gestalt Language Processor, an Analytical Language Processor or both.A non-speaking child or young person may be considered as possibly being a Gestalt Language Processor if there are the following indications:%u2022 They may use vocalisations with a wide range of tuneful intonation%u2022 They may replay media clips, videos, songs, TV shows or films, many times%u2022 They may have an interest in or response to music, melody and intonation.One way in which we can support a child or a young person as a likely Gestalt Language Processor and non-speaker is to use the principles of Intensive Interaction. Intensive Interaction is also relevant to other children and young people with a high level of need.6.8 INTENSIVE INTERACTIONIntensive Interaction, devised by Dave Hewitt (2006), is an approach designed to help people with highly significant needs at early levels of communication development. The Intensive Interaction Institute provides training. Intensive Interaction works on relating to others by positively practising communication routines. Intensive Interaction and the recommended approaches for the Gestalt Language Processors share some principal important objectives. The child or young person is developing interaction skills by taking opportunity to:%u2022 Share personal space%u2022 Enjoy being with another person%u2022 Attend to a shared interest%u2022 Use and understand some non-verbal communication%u2022 Vocalise and use vocalisations meaningfully%u2022 Support regulation%u2022 Have others follow their lead%u2022 Use a favoured activity which may be sensory seeking based or repetitive%u2022 Have others engage with their physical movements and vocalisations%u2022 Receive positive responses from others.6.9 SELECTIVE MUTISMSelective Mutism, sometimes referred to as Situational Mutism, occurs when a child or young person has highly significant social anxiety which can result in not speaking in certain situations. This can mean speaking at home but not speaking outside of the home.A diagnosis of Selective Mutism, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM 5, is given to a child or young person where: