Discover What’s New At Well Fed Feeding Therapy:

• Welcome! New Team Member Introduction

• Alternative Ways To Hydrate

• What is Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)?

New Team Member Spotlight

Welcome Bianca Liu!

We’re thrilled to announce Speech-Language Pathologist, Bianca Lui, is joining the Well Fed Feeding Therapy team this month! In addition to her extensive experience, and passion for supporting language and feeding development she is friendly and kind. We can’t wait for you to meet her. She has openings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Learn More About Bianca✨

1. What excites you most about joining Well Fed Feeding Therapy?

   I am passionate about helping children and their families reach their feeding goals in a safe, supportive, and playful environment.

2. What is one thing you want families to know about working with you?

   I am committed to creating a safe and playful environment where children can make meaningful progress toward their goals. I also believe in working as a team with caregivers, who are the true experts when it comes to knowing what motivates their child.

3. What is your favorite way to spend a day off?

   I love spending time playing music with my husband, exploring new restaurants, and occasionally taking day trips to Boston on the weekends to enjoy the city.

   

To schedule time with Bianca please email [email protected]. 

Stay Hydrated This Fall

5 Alternative Ways To Hydrate 🍉

Keeping kids hydrated doesn’t have to mean plain water. Here are some creative, fun, and nourishing ways to boost hydration:

1. Make Popsicles Together – Use molds to freeze favorite flavors or grab pre-made popsicles for an easy option.

2. Infuse Water with Flavor – Add slices of fruit or veggies (like cucumber, lemon, or berries) to make water more appealing.

3. Blend a Smoothie Adventure – Play with flavors, textures, and colors. Smoothies can be an engaging way to combine hydration with nutrition.

4. Don’t Forget Pouches & Purees – Fruit and veggie pouches or infant purees are often overlooked, but they’re actually excellent hydration sources! For example:

   • Whole milk yogurt is about 85% water

   • Whole milk Greek yogurt is about 81% water

   • Unsweetened applesauce is about 88% water

   • Infant purees average 85% water
     Purees also offer a predictable taste and texture that many kids love.

5. Serve Naturally Hydrating Fruits & Veggies – Apples, strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, and oranges are all packed with water. Try serving them in fun shapes or with a dip if your child is hesitant.

   💡 Pro Tip: For children who need thickened liquids, purees can be a natural thickening option instead of manufactured thickeners like Gelmix or SimplyThick. This can make mealtimes both safer and more nourishing.

Language Development

What is Gestalt Language Processing?

The term Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) was first introduced by researchers Marge Blanc (speech-language pathologist) and Barry Prizant (speech-language pathologist, researcher, and author of Uniquely Human). Their work highlighted that not all children acquire language in the same way.

Whereas analytic language learners build language by combining single words into longer sentences (e.g., “ball” + “go” → “ball go”), gestalt language processors start with larger chunks of language—phrases, scripts, or even whole lines from media, books, or familiar people—and gradually break those chunks down into smaller pieces over time.

Research suggests that a large percentage of autistic and neurodivergent children (estimates range from 75–85%) are gestalt language processors. Recognizing this is key—because their path to communication is different, our therapy and support should look different too.

The Stages of NLA

Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), outlined by Marge Blanc, describes the developmental journey of gestalt language processors in six stages:

1. Whole Gestalts – using scripts or long chunks of language (“Let’s get out of here!”).

2. Mitigations – breaking down gestalts into smaller pieces (“get out”).

3. Isolated Words & Two-Word Combos – single words begin to emerge (“out,” “go”).

4. Original Phrases & Simple Sentences – unique combinations form.

5. Complex Sentences – more grammar and flexibility emerge.

6. Spontaneous, Self-Generated Language – fully flexible and independent language use.

What Do Scripts Mean?

Scripts can be rich with meaning—sometimes more than meets the eye. A child might quote a line from a favorite show not just for the words themselves but because that phrase is tied to a memory, a feeling, or an experience. For example, a child who says “It’s a sunny day!” might not literally be commenting on the weather but instead recalling a moment of happiness or safety. This means decoding scripts is not always black and white—it’s about looking deeper at the experience behind the words.

Supporting GLPs During Snack & Mealtimes

Mealtimes offer a predictable rhythm and lots of opportunities for natural scripts to appear. Here are some ways to support your GLP:

• Notice and honor scripts: If your child says “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!” while looking at their cup, they may be linking that phrase to a past fun experience with food, not just reciting a book. Instead of correcting, respond warmly: “Yes! Boom boom — your cup is so fun!”

• I once had a child script the Chick-fil-A menu whenever they were hungry. At first, the family thought this script meant they wanted only Chick-fil-A but after some trial and error, they realized it was just their child related the feeling of hunger in their body to when they were eating at Chick-fil-A and scripting it was their way of saying "I'm hungry!"

  

• Model new chunks naturally: Create short, fun phrases that your child can pick up, such as:

  • “Yummy in my tummy”

  • "yum, yum, yummmmm" from the Bumble Nums on Super Simple's YouTube channel

  • Repetition is key—use them often so they become familiar chunks.

• Use routines: Consistent scripts tied to routines help children anchor meaning:

  • Before eating: “Bon appetit, it's time to eat!”

  • After meals: Clean up song

• Match their style: If your child uses a long scripted line, respond in kind with another playful phrase rather than switching to single words. This validates their communication style.

Follow their lead: If they echo or repeat something from a show during snack, join in instead of redirecting. Shared joy and connection around the script is what helps move language forward.

Why This Matters

When we recognize that a child is a GLP, we can adjust our approach to nurture their natural way of acquiring language. Forcing an analytic approach (breaking everything into single words and drills) risks missing the way their brain is wired to learn. Supporting their scripts, validating their meaning, and helping them move through the NLA stages leads to stronger, more authentic communication.

Lauren is trained in Natural Language Acquisition through Marge Blanc’s course, and integrates these principles into her therapy to make sure children’s communication styles are respected and supported.

Resources for Parents

If your child uses scripts, you can become a language detective! A few resources to help:

• Yarn (yarn.co) – lets you search and identify movie/show quotes that might match your child’s scripts.

• ChatGPT – type in the script your child uses to brainstorm possible sources or contexts.

A Note on ACC

Most AAC systems are designed for analytic learners (with single words that are built into sentences). For gestalt language processors, it’s equally important that their scripts and high-frequency phrases are represented in their systems. Including these familiar chunks helps children see themselves in their AAC system and promotes meaningful communication.

✨ In next month’s newsletter, I’ll share more about how to support AAC users who are gestalt language processors and what families can do to make their child’s device truly their own.

Testimonial

Family Spotlight✨

That’s It For Now.

As always, keep trusting your gut, keep showing up for your child - and know that you’re never in this alone. 💛

With care,

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