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Advanced Presentation on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition
OT
SLP
Course Level:
Advanced
Course Type:
Live Webinar
November 22, 2025
Check-In Time: 11/22/2025 8:00:00 AM
Course Time(s): Course time: 8:15AM-3:30PM (CST)
Course Location:
Contact Hours: 6.0
Course Completion:
Course intended to be completed in full.
Discipline Specific CEU Approvals:
-
OT: You will receive a certificate of completion with total CE contact hours. This course is not submitted for AOTA approval, but you may submit the certificate and course details to your licensing board. Please review your organization’s CE requirements for eligibility (OR could replace the last sentence with: For CE requirements and qualifying OT activities, see MN Statute 148.
- SLP Satisfactory Completion & ASHA CE Registry Submission: To receive a certificate of completion, participants must attend the entire course and complete the evaluation—including the intent to change statement—within 30 days. If not attended in full, the certificate will reflect adjusted hours. Participants who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for ASHA CE Registry submission. During the evaluation, participants may opt to receive ASHA CEUs by providing their ASHA number. Upon successful completion, CEU information will be submitted to the ASHA Registry.
Instructor: Jessica Teixeira, M.S., CCC-SLP
Instructor Bio:
Jessica is a certified speech-language pathologist, international speaker, and owner of Play Haven Pediatric Therapy LLC. Specializing in gestalt language development and neurodiversity-affirming practices, Jess provides direct services, consultations, and coaching for parents, educators, and professionals. With extensive experience supporting children who are gestalt language processors, Jess has trained audiences worldwide, including school districts, clinics, and parent groups, and in partnership with Meaningful Speech. She is also a member of the Uniquely Human team Her work is grounded in child-led, strengths-based therapy that nurtures meaningful connection.
Financial Disclosure:
No financial disclosures to report.
Non‑financial Disclosure:
No non‑financial disclosures to report.
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of gestalt language development and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework, supporting both foundational understanding and advanced clinical application. Designed for speech-language pathologists, educators, and related professionals, this training is ideal for those who are new to the topic as well as those looking to deepen and refine their skills.
Participants will gain a strong foundation in the NLA framework, the stages of gestalt language development, echolalia, and the unique developmental path of gestalt language processors. The course then builds toward advanced topics, including language sample collection and scoring, individualized support across the stages, goal writing, integrating AAC, parent education and coaching, and more.
Through real-life video examples, whole-group learning, and breakout discussions, this course equips professionals to confidently assess, support, and collaborate with gestalt language processors and their families in a neurodiversity-affirming way.
Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
At the end of this course, the therapist should be able to:
- Define gestalt language development and explain the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework.
- Identify key characteristics of gestalt language processors (GLPs) and differentiate them from analytic language processors.
- Implement effective strategies to support GLPs across all stages of language development.
- Assess language samples, write goals, and track progress for GLPs.
- Introduce and implement AAC to support GLPs when appropriate.
- Apply learning to real-life cases through discussion and breakout sessions
8:00–8:15 AM – Check-In
8:15–8:30 AM – Welcome, Introduction & Agenda Overview
8:30–9:05 AM – Overview of Gestalt Language Development (35 min)
- Define gestalt language processing and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)
- Explore the stages of language development in GLPs
- Key characteristics of GLPs vs. analytic processors
- Understanding echolalia as meaningful communication
- Shifting to a child-led, neurodiversity-affirming approach
- Strategies for supporting regulation and connection
10:25–10:40 AM – Q&A + Transition to Breakouts (15 min)
10:40–11:15 AM – Review & Breakout Sessions (35 min)
- Reflect on key concepts
- Discuss implementation strategies in small groups
- How to analyze gestalt language samples
- Writing meaningful, stage-aligned goals
- Breakout session: Practice scoring and goal writing
12:50–1:50 PM – Support Across the Stages (1 hour)
- Strategies to support GLPs at each stage of NLA
- Moving from echolalia to self-generated, flexible language
2:00–2:30 PM – AAC & Gestalt Language Processors (30 min)
- When to consider AAC
- Supporting AAC users in a way that supports natural language acquisition
- Real-life examples of GLP intervention
- Collaborative problem-solving and discussion
- Group Q&A
- Participant reflections
- Key implementation takeaways
Contact Information
M Health Fairview Rehab Services Continuing Education Department
Email: rehabce@fairview.org
Phone: 612-672-5607