When Models Aren't "Sticking" : Supporting Minimally Speaking GLPs
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Feel like youâre spinning your wheels with a minimally or non-speaking gestalt language processor? Youâre modeling, staying regulated, following their leadâbut the gestalts arenât emerging, or the child is not progressing through the NLA stages, and youâre left wondering what to do next.
This 4-hour, deep dive with Katja Piscitelli is designed to bring you clarity, direction, and real-world strategies to support communication growth in GLPs who arenât fitting the typical NLA patterns.
Whether youâre an SLP, educator, or caregiver, this intensive will give you the tools and confidence to move forwardâeven when speech feels stuck.
What Youâll Learn:
- How to identify dyspraxia in autistic children - it's not always obvious!
- Tailoring NLA supports for GLPs with suspected apraxia or dyspraxia
- Using motor speech intervention in a child-led, neurodiversity-affirming way
- How to apply Marge Blancâs Hierarchy of Dyspraxia Supports
- How to determine a minimally speaking childâs NLA stageâeven when it's not obvious
- Why "modeling without expectation" sometimes doesnât âstick,â and what to try instead
- How to tailor AAC systems for gestalt processors and those with motor planning challengesÂ
Enroll NowSupporting Grammar Acquisition for GLPs (NLA Stage 3+)Â
In this 2.5 hour course, you will get:
- 2.5 PDH hours w/ a certificate of completion that you can use towards ASHA ceu requirement.
- A better understanding of how to support grammar using the DSS and DST charts!
- In-depth explanation of NLA stages 3-6.
- Updated information on best practice for scoring GLP language samples using the NLA framework.
- Language sample scoring practice!
- Therapy video review.
- Access to my Later Stage GLP Handbook (28 pages)
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$54.99
Purchase CourseFostering Language Growth in Early GLPs (NLA Stages 1+2)
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Are you looking for strategies to support gestalt language processors in the earliest stages of natural language acquisition (NLA)? This self-paced crash course is designed for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), parents, and other professionals who want to foster meaningful communication and language development for autistic children who are in NLA Stages 1 and 2.
What You'll Learn:
- Introduction to gestalt language and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) stages
- In depth explanation and video examples of NLA stages 1+2
- How to support language development in NLA stages 1+2
- Practical examples and video demonstrations to guide your practice
This 2-hour course is packed with actionable insights and resources, including:
- A 20+ page handbook about supporting NLA stages 1+2
- A gestalt tracker PDF
- A certificate of completion for 2 hours of continuing education
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Purchase CourseBuilding Communication Foundations for Minimally-Speaking Autistic Children
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An 8-Week LIVE Course Series
9 Professional Development Hours
Begins September 17, 2025
Are you a speech-language pathologist or parent looking for more meaningful, effective ways to support minimally and nonspeaking autistic children?
This course is designed to give you real, practical tools to support minimally-speaking autistic children by integrating what we know about sensorimotor regulation, dyspraxia, gestalt language development, and AAC. Youâll learn how to combine these approaches in a cohesive, tangible wayâso you can confidently support authentic, meaningful communication for each child.Â
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đ What Youâll Learn Each Week:
Week 1: Laying the Groundwork
Intro to course, exploring WHY kids are minimally speaking, redefining joint attention, supporting the foundations of communication -- trust, safety, engagement and attention.
Week 2: Ditching the Toy Box: Supporting Minimal Speakers Through Sensorimotor Play
đ¤ Guest Expert: Ashley Gillespie, Founder of Bloom Developmental Center (@bloomdevelopmentalcenter)
Week 3:Â Exploring Dyspraxia
What dyspraxia looks like in autistic children, how it relates to speech production, and supporting dyspraxic kids to access speech by using Marge Blanc's dyspraxia hierarchy of supports.
Week 4: Whole-Body Communication: Sensory + Motor Planning from an OT Perspective
đ¤ Guest Expert: Erin Clarelli, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist at Sunrise Therapies (@sunrise.therapies)Â
Week 5: Childhood Apraxia of Speech + Gestalt Language Processing
Understanding overlaps, individualized support, and clinical application.
Week 6:Â Supporting Minimally Speaking GLPsÂ
Helping minimal speakers, who we suspect are gestalt language processors, to access communication
Week 7: AAC + GLP: Multimodal Communication That Makes Sense Integrating AAC with gestalt language processing and sensory needs
Week 8: Q&A + Real-World Case Studies Bring your questions and case specific questions!
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đŚ Whatâs Included:
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8 LIVE weekly training sessions with replays available (1 year access)
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A comprehensive digital handbook full of tools and strategies
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Guest lectures from experts in child development and occupational therapy
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A certificate for 9 PDH hours
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ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR COHORT 3!
Join a passionate group of professionals who are ready to support communication differently.
Spots are limited. Secure yours today!


