Hey friend,

Happy Tuesday - it's been a while!

I've been busy because one of the coaches needed a break.

We got her replacement up to speed.

Spoke to parents who were interested in the coaching.

So finally I can breathe a little.

I wanted to share a common theme I've been hearing on calls.

These are the three:

1. My child is a Gestalt language processor
2. Therapists gave my child an AAC device
3. Therapy is play-based and not working

Obviously, the parents who wanted to talk to me weren't satisfied with the services their child was receiving.

But I can tell you...

There's a reason why this ain't working.

Let's go through them one by one.

Gestalt language processing (GLP)

Most of the time, parents tell me which stage their child is at.

Whilst that's good and fair...

Teaching gestalts (scripts) is only ONE PART of therapy.

Nothing against Marge Blanc (the therapist who came up with GLP).

We used to call scripts "functional language goals".

You see...

Children overgeneralize scripts.

They use it for reasons that go beyond the script's true meaning.

What we need to do is to teach functional scripts.

That's one part of therapy.

We also need to keep teaching new words, vocabulary and language functions (answering questions).

If we follow GLP stages, we will get more scripts.

I'm sure it'll work, but how long will it take!?

And you need to do this whilst following the child's lead?

AAC Devices

Yes, there is research on AAC use and language acquisition.

In fact, long before using iPads...

We've been using laminated cards (PECS) to teach children on the spectrum to speak.

It's about how we use it.

I cannot stress how crazy it is to slap a whole page of buttons on a child.

For this to work, parents need to INTEGRATE AAC at home.

That means you need to know how to prompt and entice your child to use it.

Play-based Therapy - Why Isn't it Working

I've spoken to a few parents with 4 to 5-year-old ASD children.

The problem with play-based and child-led therapy...

This is the part where I will get cancelled (I do think it's a matter of time).

Is that the goals don't give a good picture of what the child can or cannot do!

Every time I ask, "Do you know what structures your child can use?"

Parents reply that they've been modelling everything.

And SOMETIMES they get a reply.

This is not acceptable.

Again, language facilitation is a part of therapy.

It shouldn't be 100% of it.

This stuff does work, but we do not know how long it will take!

I'll share more in an upcoming YouTube video.

I'm risking getting attacked by my colleagues.

But I guess it's fine, because our channel isn't getting a lot of views lately 😂.

​Here's our latest video, check it out.​

That's all for now!

Let's keep up the good fight,

Ming

P.S. - If you missed joining our coaching, let me know, and we'll see how we can help. Currently, we've stopped accepting parents. But let's start a conversation, and when we open again, we'll get you onboard