Speaking Engagements Led by Katja (Boho Speechie)
Katja offers engaging, evidence-based presentations for professionals, schools, clinics, and parent organizations looking to deepen their understanding of language development in autistic children — especially gestalt language processors and minimally speaking communicators.
Fee: $500 per hour
Format: Virtual or in-person (travel costs may apply)
Topic #1:
Introduction to Gestalt Language and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) Stages
Length: 3 Hours
This session introduces participants to gestalt language processing and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework. It is ideal for SLPs, educators, and caregivers who are new to the topic or seeking a clear, structured overview.
Topics covered:
- What is a gestalt language processor? – identifying GLPs
- What each of the 6 Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) stages look like, and how to support language development at each stage
- Review of case studies and therapy video examples at each NLA stage
- Q&A time
Topic #2:
Supporting Gestalt Language Processors Through the Natural Language Acquisition Stages
Length: 6-8 Hours
This session covers everything mentioned in topic #1, plus more! It begins with an introduction to GLP and NLA, but also dives deeper, into other GLP related topics – assessment, goal writing, and GLP+AAC.
Topics covered:
- What is a gestalt language processor? – identifying GLPs
- What each of the 6 Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) stages look like, and how to support language development at each stage
- Review of case studies and therapy video examples at each NLA stage
- Assessing GLPs
- Goal writing + example goals
- Language sample analysis practice
- AAC for GLPs
- Q&A time
Topic #3: Supporting Minimally Speaking Gestalt Language Processors
Length: 2 Hours
Topics covered:
- Why are kids minimally speaking?
- How dyspraxia/apraxia presents in autistic children
- Utilizing the dyspraxia hierarchy of supports by Marge Blanc to support first words
- How suspected verbal apraxia and gestalt language supports overlap to support minimally speaking GLPs
