Natural Language Acquisition

Natural language acquisition (NLA) (Blanc, 2012) is a therapy approach that is child-led and focuses on building connection. It is effective for both analytic and gestalt language processors, whereas traditional, or compliance-based, approaches are not effective for gestalt language processors but support analytic language processors. Although NLA is especially important for gestalt language processors, there are many benefits to using a NLA framework in therapy for all children.

During a speech therapy session with a NLA framework, the SLP does not come into the session with a predetermined plan about what to play or do that day. The SLP follows the child’s lead and plays whatever the child wants to play. This builds connection and trust between the therapist and child, which is essential for learning language. Language is modeled for the child that relates to the play in which they are engaged. Language is learned because it is meaningful to the child. Language is not prompted or forced (e.g. say “cookie” and you can get a cookie). This can cause prompt dependence, in which the child always needs an adult to initiate communication and never initiates on their own. In my own experience, I have also seen children shut down and refuse to speak.

Another benefit to NLA therapy is that the sessions are intrinsically motivating and enjoyable for the child. Children want to communicate about things that interest them or are important to them, similar to adults. We all want to talk about what we enjoy!

Meaningful Speech. (2023). Welcome to Meaningful Speech. Retrieved from https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/