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72 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approachperson, their interests, their learning preferences, their speech, language and communication needs and their response to previous approaches must all be taken into consideration when selecting support strategies. It is vital to monitor the effectiveness of the support adopted and be ready to be flexible and change to meet the needs of the individual.To determine how best to holistically support speech, language and communication at GLP Stages 3-6, the continuation of a team approach is advised. This should include a carefully documented informal observation to explore the child or young person%u2019s level of some or all of the following:%u2022 contextual understanding%u2022 language comprehension %u2022 functional use of communication%u2022 language expression%u2022 social use and social understanding of language%u2022 phonological awareness %u2022 reading comprehension.The speech and language therapist may make recommendations for support strategies and adaptations for learning.9.2 SUPPORTING THE UNDERSTANDING OF LANGUAGETo support the understanding of language, accurate observations are needed over a period of time in as many different contexts as possible with different communication partners, both adults and peers.Observations of contextual understandingWhen recording contextual understanding of verbal language, explain the scenario and include information about:%u2022 What was the child or young person doing? Is this an area of interest/strength? Is this part of a routine or a familiar situation?%u2022 Where were they? Who else was there?%u2022 What time of day and how long were they engaged in the activity?%u2022 Were their sensory needs and emotional needs met?%u2022 What verbal instructions/directions/requests were being made?%u2022 Did they use any contextual clues or non-verbal communication to help their understanding, or copy other people?%u2022 How did the child or young person respond? Did they respond independently?%u2022 Did they use any communication support strategies or ask for help?