What Is the Difference Between Natural Language Acquisition and Gestalt Language Development?

If you’ve spent any time learning about echolalia or supporting gestalt language processors, you’ve likely seen the terms Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) and gestalt language development used. 

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered:
Are they the same thing?
Are they different?

Let’s clearly define what each term means, how they relate to one another, and why the distinction matters when we’re supporting gestalt language processors. 

What Is Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)?

Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) is a framework that describes how gestalt language processors develop language.

The NLA framework was first outlined by Marge Blanc in her book Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language (2012).  It is based on years of clinical longitudinal research, as well as the foundational work of Dr. Barry Prizant and Dr. Ann Peters.

In addition to describing how gestalt language develops, the NLA framework provides a way to analyze and score language samples. This helps us better understand where a child may be within their language development and how to thoughtfully consider support, while keeping in mind that NLA is not a prescription and that meaningful support must always be individualized and child-led.

Natural Language Acquisition gives us:

• A way to understand how language develops for gestalt language processors
• A shared language for talking about echolalia and language progression
• A framework for analyzing and scoring language samples
• A guide for thinking about appropriate, developmental, individualized support

What Is Gestalt Language Development?

Gestalt language development refers to the natural way some children acquire language. Children who develop language this way are called gestalt language processors.

Instead of starting with single, flexible words, gestalt language processors usually:

• Use delayed echolalia to communicate (this is the first stage in their language development)
• Pick up language through intonation, emotion, and shared meaningful experiences. These meaningful chunks of language are referred to as “gestalts” (they can be as short as a single word or as long as movie or book)
• Move through predictable stages where they gradually break those inflexible chunks down and recombine them into self-generated, original language (see stage outline below)

Gestalt language development is typical language development. Both neurotypical and neurodivergent children can develop language this way. Some move through these stages quickly and naturally, while others benefit from intentional support.

NLA and Gestalt Language Development: How Do They Fit Together?

• Gestalt Language Development is what happens. It’s the natural way some children (gestalt language processors) develop language.
• Natural Language Acquisition is the framework that describes it. It helps us understand, analyze, and thoughtfully support that development.

The Six Stages of Gestalt Language Development

The NLA framework describes six stages of gestalt language development. These stages are not rigid, linear steps. Children can move back and forth, overlap stages, or remain in a stage for as long as they need.

Stage 1: Delayed Echolalia

Children communicate using:

• Gestalts (can be as short as a single word or as long as a movie)
• Intonationally defined strings of language

These may come from people, books, shows, or real-life experiences.

Example:
“There’s a monster at the end of the book!”

Stage 2: Mix and Match or “Trimming Down” (Partial Gestalts)

Children begin:

• Shortening longer gestalts
• Mixing pieces of different gestalts together
• Creating semi-unique utterances

Examples:
“There’s a monster + under there” → “There’s a monster under there.”
“There’s a monster.”

Stage 3: Single Words and Two-Word Combinations

At this stage, children begin:

• Breaking gestalts into individual, flexible, referential single words
• Creating new noun combinations (noun + noun, noun + adjective/modifier/location) 

Examples:
“monster”
“scary monster”
“monster red”

This stage marks increased flexibility with language.

Stages 4–6: Original Language and Grammar Development

• Stage 4: Beginning grammar
• “The monster goed under.”
• Stage 5: More advanced grammar
• “The monster can’t get out.”
• Stage 6: Complex, mature grammar
• “Shouldn’t he have come out from under the bed by now?”

NLA Is Not a Prescriptive Therapy Protocol

One of the most important things to understand about NLA is that it is not a one-size-fits-all, prescriptive intervention plan.

As Marge Blanc explains:

"People all over the world tell us they appreciate NLA so much that they tend to forget that it is ‘just’ the research-based description of gestalt language development — not a prescription for supporting individual gestalt language processors. NLA describes gestalt language development from echolalia to complex self-generated language - but support is absolutely individual."

NLA does not tell us:

• How long a child should stay in a stage. It is highly dependent on a number of factors such as: age, regulation, communication partners, motor planning, etc. (not an exhaustive list). 
• What exact language models every child needs. When we understand the stages, the individual in front of us, as well as other factors such as those listed above, we can tailor our language models and supports to best support them. 

NLA reminds us to look at the child in front of us. Support must always be individualized.

Blanc continues on to say: 

"We follow each child’s lead - always - which looks incredibly different for an 18 month old compared with a 7 year old, or a 15 year old. How long is a preferred gestalt? How intelligible - and accessible - is it? Are conditions, internal and external, available for mitigation? Stage 1 lasts as long as a child needs. It overlaps with Stage 2 as much (or as little) as a child needs - and it provides a foundation to return to again and again, often for different reasons. Grammar development is natural too, and develops logically - but meaning comes first. Stages 5 and 6 might not happen until middle school or high school. When we follow each child’s lead, we learn all of this, and we learn how to keep the NLA stages in mind during every linguistic adventure the child chooses. And that’s exactly what our research did: followed children. That’s how we ‘use' NLA."

Understanding the difference between Natural Language Acquisition and gestalt language development helps us move away from rigid expectations and toward individualized, developmentally appropriate and affirming support. 

Want to learn more about gestalt language development and Natural Language Acquisition? 

• There are many free podcasts, webinars and articles to get you started. A comprehensive list of resources can also be found on our website. We now have a FREE masterclass on echolalia and child-led therapy and a Beginner's Guide to AAC & Gestalt Language Processing that are perfect for anyone starting their learning journey or on the fence about purchasing our courses!
• Meaningful Speech Course or AAC + Gestalt Language Processing Course: Deepen your understanding of gestalt language processing and learn strategies to support gestalt language development with one of our self-paced courses or webinars. 

• Meaningful Connections: If you’re a parent or caregiver looking for support, education, and connection, we created Meaningful Connections just for you. Meaningful Connections is a caregiver community designed to provide guidance without judgment, pressure, or expectations. It’s a space to learn more about gestalt language development, ask questions, and connect with other caregivers who truly understand what this journey can feel like. We’re especially excited to be hosting our first live virtual parent meetup on Sunday January 18th 2026 at 6:00 PM ET. 

• SLP Registry: Find speech-language pathologists experienced in supporting gestalt language processors and child-led therapy.
• Free Webinars and Articles: Access free information to further your own knowledge or get free resources you can share with others.