Background and AimRecently, there has been a lot of interest surrounding the term gestalt language processor (GLP) which is associated with Natural Language Acquisition (NLA): a protocol intended to support the language development of autistic people. In NLA, delayed echolalia is presumed raw source material that GLPs use to acquire language in a stage-like progression from delayed echolalia to spontaneous speech. The aim of this article is to evaluate NLA in light of relevant literatures to allow scrutiny of NLA claims.Main contributionsFirst, we review the notion of gestalt language and situate it in the broader literature on language styles to update understanding of its significance. We then review the links from gestalt language processing to autism and identify definitional and conceptual problems and clarify the construct ‘episodic memory’. We discuss the ‘raw material view of delayed echolalia’ and identify theoretical and empirical shortcomings. Finally, we review Blanc’s language stages and their accompanying assessment and language support recommendations and challenge their validity.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe term ‘gestalt language processor’ is definitionally and conceptually troubled, the assertion that autistic people are GLPs is misleading and unhelpful, and evidence is lacking that GLP represents a legitimate clinical entity. The theoretical basis of NLA lacks empirical support. NLA stages are implausible and their accompanying assessment and support recommendations lack justification. We recommend the use of alternate, individualized, theoretically-sound, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming supports that are sensitive and responsive to the heterogeneity that defines autism.

中文翻译：

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自然语言习得和格式塔语言处理：对其在自闭症和言语治疗中的应用进行批判性分析


背景和目标最近，人们对格式塔语言处理器（GLP）这一术语产生了很多兴趣，它与自然语言习得（NLA）相关：一种旨在支持自闭症患者语言发展的协议。在 NLA 中，延迟回声被认为是 GLP 用来以从延迟回声到自发语音的阶段式进展获取语言的原始材料。本文的目的是根据相关文献评估 NLA，以便对 NLA 主张进行审查。主要贡献首先，我们回顾了格式塔语言的概念，并将其置于更广泛的语言风格文献中，以更新对其意义的理解。然后，我们回顾了从格式塔语言处理到自闭症的联系，确定定义和概念问题，并阐明“情景记忆”的结构。我们讨论了“延迟回声的原始材料观点”，并指出了理论和经验上的缺陷。最后，我们回顾了布兰克的语言阶段及其随附的评估和语言支持建议，并对其有效性提出质疑。结论与含义“格式塔语言处理器”一词在定义和概念上都存在问题，自闭症患者是 GLP 的断言是误导性的且无益的，证据是缺乏 GLP 代表合法的临床实体。 NLA的理论基础缺乏实证支持。 NLA 阶段令人难以置信，其随附的评估和支持建议缺乏合理性。我们建议使用替代的、个性化的、理论上合理的、基于证据的、肯定神经多样性的支持，这些支持对定义自闭症的异质性敏感且敏感。