How Can I Learn More About Gestalt Language Development?

First, welcome. We are so happy you have found Meaningful Speech.

We are a team of speech-language pathologists who specialize in gestalt language processing. We are neurodiversity-affirming therapists and are passionate about educating others on the importance of child-led therapy to support gestalt language processors. Across our website and social platforms, we share educational resources about gestalt language development, play-based learning, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.

If you are just beginning your learning journey, here are several free and paid (we're currently having one of our biggest sales of the year!) ways you can get started through Meaningful Speech. 

Free options from Meaningful Speech

• Masterclass on Echolalia and Child-Led Therapy. If you are new to these concepts or unsure whether to invest in a paid resource, start here. Our free masterclass is a great introduction for parents, professionals, family members, and anyone who supports children.
  You can enroll in the free masterclass directly from our website here. 
• Meaningful Speech Blog. We publish a new blog post every Thursday on topics related to gestalt language development, child-led therapy, and neurodiversity-affirming services. Each blog post explores frequently asked questions in greater detail than our social media content.
  Our blog has covered foundational information about the stages of gestalt language development, IEP and school supports, AAC, receptive language, literacy, bilingualism, compliance-based therapy, potty training, and more. Sign up for our email list to be notified each week.
• Follow us on socials. We are active on Instagram and Facebook and our profiles are filled with educational posts and short videos (reels) on gestalt language development, play, and child-led therapy. It’s a great start to learning more about our most-asked questions in a shorter format than our courses/products/blog. We show therapy in-action, examples of each stage, provide course and product updates, as well weekly Q&A’s. We have highlights at the top of our profile that round-up our top posts organized by topic, and have pinned some of our most helpful posts for getting started.
• Download our freebie handout. We created a PDF handout on gestalt language development and delayed echolalia (the first stage in this developmental process). This handout is currently available in English and Spanish! Signing up for this freebie handout will also add you to our email list. Joining our email list allows you to be the first one to know when we release new courses or products (or updates to our current courses/products!), blog posts, sales, events/training, and more! This freebie/email sign up is available right on the home pages of our website.  
• Listen to our podcast episodes. Our founder, Alexandria Zachos and some of our team members have been interviewed on many podcasts about gestalt language development. We have compiled all podcast episodes in one place on our website so they are easy to find and listen to.
• Review the research and resources on our website. We have a section on our website that links out to courses, webinars, YouTube videos, Podcast episodes, social media accounts, literature and research articles. We also have a handout you can download as well.  

Paid options from Meaningful Speech

We are having one of our biggest sales of the year... Our XMAS in July SALE! From July 14 through July 18, 2025 at midnight CT, everything on the Meaningful Speech website is 25% off (full-priced purchases only, not payment plans). Use code "XMASJULY" at checkout.

• Take our courses. We have two self-paced courses available for parents and professionals.
• Our Original Meaningful Speech course This foundational course provides a complete overview of gestalt language development and how to support children from echolalia to self-generated language.It includes client videos, printable handouts, expert bonus modules on AAC, motor planning, sensory processing, and autism, as well as access to our private member community. We offer 30+ professional development hours (PDH) for speech-language pathologists and assistants. The course covers ALL requirements for a 3-year ASHA cycle and course members get any updates to the course completely FREE with lifetime access. 
  Learn more or enroll on our website here.   
• Our AAC for Gestalt Language Processors course is a self-paced course that will teach you how to identify, evaluate, and support gestalt language processors (GLPs) who currently communicate using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or who you think may benefit from AAC. The course includes client videos, handouts, an exclusive member’s community, and seven bonus modules to learn how to program different devices for gestalt language processors. We offer 11 professional development hours (PDH) for speech-language pathologists/assistants. Learn more or enroll in the course here. 
• Enroll in our self-paced webinars. We have three self-paced webinars available hosted by Meaningful Speech team members. Webinars are on various topics related to gestalt language development such as, Using Digital Resources to Support Gestalt Language Processors, Scoring and Language Samples, and Starting a Niche Private Practice. 

• Host us for a live training. We provide live trainings on gestalt language development and neurodiversity-affirming, child-led therapy. These trainings are hosted by individuals, clinics, and organizations around the world. If you are interested in hosting a live training or viewing upcoming training dates, visit the Live Trainings page on our website here to learn more. 
• Schedule a consultation. Our partner clinic, Social Butterfly, Inc. (Meaningful Speech founder Alex Zachos' clinic) offers virtual consultations for both parents and professionals. These sessions are not therapy and are available worldwide. We can answer questions, review language samples or home videos, provide guidance for child-led sessions, and offer individualized strategies for supporting the gestalt language processors in your life here. 

Other Reputable Resources on Gestalt Language Development

Below are more reputable sources for more information about gestalt language development. 

• Communication Development Center. Created by Marge Blanc, this site contains free information on the Natural Language Acquisition framework, all six stages of gestalt language development, and related topics like regulation, musical support, and multimodal communication. You will also find links to Marge Blanc’s book (Natural Language Acquisition) , articles, and video stories. Content is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, French, and Hindi.
• Natural Communication. Dr. Amanda Blackwell and Paulina Elias provide free and paid courses and resources in both Spanish and English (with more languages on the way) on gestalt language development and Natural Language Acquisition. 
• Dr. Barry Prizant's Webpage.  Dr. Prizant has compiled a list of his publications related to echolalia and gestalt language development, all available on his website.