COURSES

When Models Aren't "Sticking" : Supporting Minimally Speaking GLPs

Feel like you’re spinning your wheels with a minimally or non-speaking gestalt language processor? You’re modeling, staying regulated, following their lead—but the gestalts aren’t emerging, or the child is not progressing through the NLA stages, and you’re 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 aren’t fitting the typical NLA patterns.

Whether you’re an SLP, educator, or caregiver, this intensive will give you the tools and confidence to move forward—even when speech feels stuck.

What You’ll 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 Blanc’s Hierarchy of Dyspraxia Supports

- How to determine a minimally speaking child’s NLA stage—even when it's not obvious

- Why "modeling without expectation" sometimes doesn’t “stick,” and what to try instead

- How to tailor AAC systems for gestalt processors and those with motor planning challenges 

Supporting Grammar Acquisition for GLPs (NLA Stage 3+) 

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)

$54.99

Fostering Language Growth in Early GLPs (NLA Stages 1+2)

Building Communication Foundations for Minimally-Speaking Autistic Children

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. You’ll learn how to combine these approaches in a cohesive, tangible way—so you can confidently support authentic, meaningful communication for each child. 

🔍 What You’ll 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
🎤 Guest Expert: Ashley Gillespie, Founder of Bloom Developmental Center (@bloomdevelopmentalcenter)

Week 3: 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
🎤 Guest Expert: Erin Clarelli, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist at Sunrise Therapies (@sunrise.therapies) 

Week 5: Childhood Apraxia of Speech + Gestalt Language Processing
Understanding overlaps, individualized support, and clinical application.

Week 6: Supporting Minimally Speaking GLPs 

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!

📦 What’s Included:

• 8 LIVE weekly training sessions with replays available (1 year access)

• A comprehensive digital handbook full of tools and strategies

• Guest lectures from experts in child development and occupational therapy

• A certificate for 9 PDH hours

ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR COHORT 3!

Join a passionate group of professionals who are ready to support communication differently.
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