Motor Planning and Gestalt Language Processors

Speech-language pathologist Gail Richard notes in The Source for Autism, published by LinguiSystems, that approximately 40% of autistic children who have been considered “non-verbal” (we use the term non-speaking) are significantly challenged by motor planning difficulties (Richard, 1997).

This statistic is an important reminder: when speech appears “stuck,” inconsistent, or unintelligible, motor planning may need to be considered. 

Gestalt Language Processing and Motor Planning

Some gestalt language processors may be unintelligible or may produce long gestalts that sound like “jargon.” In many cases, this happens because their gestalts are longer than what they can currently produce intelligibly at their age. 

However, for some children, unintelligible or inconsistent speech may also be related to motor planning difficulties.

Speech-language pathologists are often familiar with the concept of apraxia which is difficulty planning, sequencing, and executing purposeful motor movements of the jaw, lips, and tongue for speech. But praxis is not limited to speech alone.

A more global term is dyspraxia, which refers to difficulty with motor planning and coordination across the whole body. Dyspraxia can impact how a child plans, initiates, sequences, and carries out movements, both large and small. Looking at the whole child, rather than speech in isolation, is essential.

How Dyspraxia May Present

Children with dyspraxia may experience difficulty with:

• Facial expressions
  (which may be misinterpreted as disinterest)

• Coordinating movements during play
  (sometimes mislabeled as limited interests or rigidity)

• Activities of daily living
  (which may be mistaken for lack of motivation)

• Following directions
  (often incorrectly labeled as noncompliance)

• Starting or stopping motor movements
  (which may contribute to being unreliably speaking, minimally speaking, or non-speaking)

When we understand these challenges through a motor planning lens, it becomes clear that many behaviors often attributed to motivation, attention, or compliance are actually related to neuromotor differences.

What Can Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework (Blanc, 2012) is a framework for language development. The information shared through Meaningful Speech focuses on how to best support a gestalt language processor’s language not to replace other necessary supports.

If a gestalt language processor also experiences apraxia, dyspraxia, or other motor speech challenges, additional strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration are both important and necessary.

When considering motor planning:

• Gross motor skills develop before fine motor skills, and speech is a fine motor activity. Expectations for speech must reflect this developmental reality.

• Occupational therapy referrals are essential for children who struggle to initiate, sequence, or coordinate movements for speech. Occupational therapists support the sensory system, body schema, and sensorimotor foundations needed for successful praxis.

• Motor planning should be viewed from a whole-body perspective, not solely through speech output. Limited speech, inconsistent speech, or appearing “unmotivated” may all be signs of underlying dyspraxia rather than lack of interest or effort.

Supporting regulation, sensory integration, and motor planning alongside language development allows children to access communication in ways that feel safe, achievable, and meaningful.

Want to Learn More about Supporting Motor Speech for Gestalt Language Processors?

If you’re interested in learning more about supporting gestalt language processors who also experience dyspraxia or motor planning challenges, here are a few recommended resources:

1. Katie Arnold, a Meaningful Speech team member, created a bonus module on Motor Planning and Gestalt Language Processing inside the Meaningful Speech course. This module explores clinical and home-based implications and offers practical strategies.

2. Read articles by Marge Blanc, including When Speech Gets Stuck and Finding the Words: When It’s Hard to Find Your Voice, which provides deeper insight into the intersection of language development and motor planning.

3. Seek out a speech-language pathologist who understands gestalt language processing and child-led therapy. Our registry connects families with clinicians who “get it” and can support language development in affirming, developmentally appropriate ways.