Venker & Lorang (2024) - Gestalt Language Processors

Goal: clarify that while valuing echolalia supports neurodiversity, the broader framework

of GLD lacks empirical evidence

Result: some aspects of GLD, such as embracing echolalia,

are consistent with neurodiversity-affirming values.

 However, the broader claims of GLD, like

Labeling children as “gestalt processors,” proposing fixes for development stages, or assuming they don’t understand the words in their repeated phrases, lacks empirical support.

In addition, several GLD-based clinical strategies contradict established research and may even be harmful, such as

advising practitioners not to model single words or grammar

So it’s too early

to adopt as an evidence-based or neurodiversity affirming approach