Research & Resources

Blanc, M. 2012. Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language. Madison, WI: Communication Development Center Inc.

A book authored by Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP that reviews the research regarding gestalt language development, the Stages of Natural Language Acquisition, and an in-depth look at assessment and language supports for this natural process from echolalia to self-generated language. 

Blanc, M. 2022. The Natural Language Acquisition Guide: Echolalia is all about gestalt language development. Madison, WI: Communication Development Center Inc.

This guide, authored by Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, reviews the research regarding gestalt language development, the Stages of Natural Language Acquisition, and an introductory look at assessment and language support for gestalt language processors.

Meaningfulspeech.com Course

A self-paced course on gestalt language processing and Natural Language Acquisition providing continuing education and support for parents and professionals presented by Alexandria Zachos, MS, CCC-SLP and other experts on supporting topics.

Natural Language Acquisition In Autism Echolalia To Self-Generated Language-Level 1, 2 and 3

On-demand three-part series webinars providing continuing education on the topic of gestalt language processing and Natural Language Acquisition presented by Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP.

From Echolalia to Self-Generated Language: Case Studies in Natural Language Acquisition

On-demand webinar that provides case examples that demonstrate a language-based approach to managing echolalia, from delayed echolalia to self-generated language, presented by Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, Dr. Lillian Steigler, CCC-SLP, and Alexandria Zachos, MS, CCC-SLP.

A Language-Based Approach to Managing Echolalia

An on-demand webinar presented by Dr. Lillian Steigler that reviews echolalia, evidence that supports echolalia as a positive indicator of language development, and how to perform ongoing assessment and intervention strategies to facilitate the transition to self-generated language.

Gestalt Language Development: the ‘Other' Natural Language Acquisition Style! (September 16, 2021)

Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, presents in this recorded webinar an overview of gestalt language development and Natural Language Acquisition.

Making Sense of Echolalia: It’s All About Language Development (March 4, 2021)

In this recorded webinar, Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, presents an overview of gestalt language development, Natural Language Acquisition and shares case studies from her practice.

Echoes of Echolalia: Looking at Autistic Language Development Through a New Lens (Oct. 27, 2021)

Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, is joined by Dr. Ann Peters, qualitative researcher and author of The Units of Language Acquisition, as they examine natural language acquisition in all children (both analytic language processors and gestalt language processors).

AAC Connecting with Language Learners (December 2, 2021)

Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, and AAC specialist Kate Flaxman CCC-SLP present in this recorded webinar to review Natural Language Acquisition in gestalt language processors and what considerations must be made when AAC is utilized.

Meaningful Speech YouTube Channel

A collection of interviews with experts that discuss gestalt language development and additional supporting topics which may aid in an increased understanding of our gestalt language processors.

Empowering Communication through Echolalia (November 20, 2021)

An on-demand webinar that provides an introduction to gestalt language development by Adrienne Koenig, CCC-SLP.

Communication Development Center

Marge Blanc’s website that she has re-designed from her original clinic site to now be a resource for information on gestalt language development and Natural Language Acquisition.

Blanc, M. 2004. “When Speech Gets Stuck,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, Sept/Oct.

Blanc, M. 2004. "Ask the Experts: Child-Directed Language Therapy," Autism Asperger's Digest

Blanc, M. 2005. “Finding the Words: To Tell the Whole Story—Natural Language Development on the Autism Spectrum,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec.

Blanc, M. 2006. "Finding the Words: When They’re Pictures," Autism Asperger’s Digest

Blanc, M. 2006, "Finding the Words: When it’s Hard to Find Your Voice," Autism Asperger’s Digest

Blanc, M. 2007. “Finding the Words: When They’re “In There” Somewhere! Helping your child retrieve the language he knows! Part 1-Part2,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, Jan/Feb.

Blanc, M. 2009. “Finding the Words to Self-Regulate,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, March/April.

Blanc, M. 2008, 2009. “Finding the Words... With Augmented Communication Parts 1-5,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, May-January.

Blanc, M. 2010. “More than Words,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, January/February.

Blanc, M. 2010. “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, March/April.

Blanc, M. 2010. “In the Beginning … Was the Conversation,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, May/June.

Blanc, M. 2010. “Laughter: The Universal Language of Childhood,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, July/August.

Blanc, M. 2010. “Grammar: How and When to Teach,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, Nov/Dec.

Blanc, M. 2010. “First Words: Their Real Significance to Language Development,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, Sept/Oct.

Blanc, M. 2012. “Bringing it home: Physical Supports for Speech at Home and Other Environments,” Autism Asperger’s Digest, March/April.

Blanc, M. 2013. "Echolalia on the Spectrum: The Natural Path to Self-Generated Language," Autism Asperger’s Digest.

Blanc, M. 2013. "Use Your Words: How Self-Regulation Supports Language,” Autism Asperger's Digest.

ASHA Practice Portal - Clinical Topics: Echolalia and Its Role in Gestalt Language Development.

Lowry, Lauren. 2018. “Three Things You Should Know About Echolalia,” The Hanen Centre.

Zachos, Alexandria. 2023. “Gestalt Language Development: How Most Autistic Individuals Develop Langauge” Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine.

Baltaxe, C. A. M., & Simmons, J. Q. (1977). Bedtime soliloquies and linguistic competence in autism. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 42(3), 376-393.

Bannard, C. & Lieven, E. (2012). Formulaic language in L1 acquisition. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 32, 3-16.

Cohn, E. et al. (2023). Echolalia as defined by parent communication partners

Cohn, E. et al. (2022). Repeating purposefully: Empowering educators with functional communication of echolalia in Autism. Autism and Developmental Language Impairments

Camarata, S. (2012). Which late talkers require intervention? Matching child characteristics and risk factors to treatment. Late talkers: Language development, interventions, and outcomes, 303-324.

Dore, J. (1973). A developmental theory of speech act production. Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences, 35(8 Series II), 623-630.

Clark, R. (1974). Performing without competence. Journal of Child Language, 1, 1, 1-10.

Fisher, E. L. (2017). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Predictors of ExpressiveLanguage Outcomes Among Late Talkers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 60(10), 2935-2948.

Hakuta, K. (1974). Prefabricated patterns and the emergence of structure in second language acquisition. Language Learning, 24, 2, 287-297

Howlin, P. (1982). Echolalic and spontaneous phrase speech in autistic children. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 23(3), 281-293.

Keenan, E. O. (1977). Making it last: Repetition in children's discourse. In Child discourse Academic Press: New York. (pp. 125-138).

Krashen, S. & Scarcella, R. (1978). On Routines and patterns in language acquisition and performance. Language Learning, 28, 2, 283-300.

Paul, R. (1993). Patterns of development in late talkers: Preschool years. Journal of Childhood Communication Disorders, 15(1), 7-14.

Perez-Pereira, M. & Castro, J. (1997). Language acquisition and the compensation of visual deficit: New comparative data on a controversial topic. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 15, 439-459.

Peters, A. (1977). Language learning strategies: Does the whole equal the sum of the parts? Language, 53, 3, 560-573.

Peters, A. (1983, 2002). The Units of Language Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Peters, A. (1987). The role of imitation in the developing syntax of a blind child. Text and Talk, 7, 289-311.

Prizant, B., (1982). Gestalt language and gestalt processing in autism. Topics in Language Disorders, 3, 1, 16-23.

Prizant, B. (1983). “Language Acquisition and Communicative Behavior in Autism: Toward an Understanding of the ‘Whole’ of It.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders 48:296–307.

Prizant, B., and P. Rydell. (1984). “An Analysis of the Functions of Delayed Echolalia in Autistic Children.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Research 27:183–92.

Prizant, B. M., Wetherby, A., Rubin, E., Laurent, A. (2006). The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Volume II Program Planning & Intervention. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.

Rydell, P., and B. Prizant. (1995). “Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children Who Use Echolalia.” In Teaching Children with Autism: Methods to Increase Communication and Socialization, edited by K. Quill: 105-129. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.

Stiegler, L. (2015). “Examining the Echolalia Literature: Where Do Speech-Language Pathologists Stand?” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology: 1-13.

Tsybina, I., & Eriks-Brophy, A. (2007). Issues in Research on Children With Early Language Delay. Contemporary Issues in Communication Science & Disorders, 34, 118-133.

Van Lancker Sidtis (2009) When novel sentences spoken or heard for the first time in the history of the universe are not enough: toward a dual‐process model of language, International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 39:1, 1-44

Van Lancker Sidtis, D. (2012) Formulaic language and language disorders. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 32, 62-80

 Vihman, M. M. (1982). Formulas in first and second language acquisition. Exceptional language and linguistics, 261-284.

Wetherby A. (1986). “Ontogeny of Communicative Functions in Autism.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 16 (3): 295–316.

Blackburn, C., Tueres, M., Sandanayake, N., Roberts, J. & Sutherland, R. (2023) A systematic review of interventions for echolalia in autistic children. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 00, 1–17.

Cohn, E. G., Harrison, M. J., & McVilly, K. R. (2023). ‘Let me tell you, I see echolalia as being a part of my son’s identity’: Exploring echolalia as an expression of neurodiversity from a parental perspective. Autism, 13623613231195795.

Filipova, Silvana & Jovchevski, Vasilka & Shoster, Darinka. (2023). The Role of Delayed Echolalia Produced by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. 4. 1890-1895. 10.55248/gengpi.4.723.49127. 

Blanc, M., Blackwell, A., & Elias, P. (2023). Using the natural language acquisition protocol to support gestalt language development. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1-8.

Haydock,A., Harrison, L., Baldwin, K., & Leadbitter, K. (2024). Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Autism, 28(5), 1055-1059.