The Power of Echolalia: How My Son's Shouts of Praise Glorify God
An Introduction to Gestalt Language Processing and Echolalia from a Parent's Perspective
What is Gestalt Language Processing?
In the last three years, my wife and I have spent thousands of hours in speech therapy with our children. My oldest son, Judah, who has severe autism, is known to use Gestalt Language Processing. If you are like me, you probably have never heard that phrase before, but it essentially means that his brain processes language differently than that of other children. Typically, children process language analytically, which means they learn to speak by acquiring words one at a time and then learning to put them together to build phrases and eventually sentences. In contrast, with Gestalt Processing, kids learn in phrases. For example, rather than moving from the analytic language learning of “car” to “red car” and eventually to “It’s a red car!”, Gestalt language processors might hear a caregiver say, “Wow, that’s a fast red car!” and then use that phrase every time they see a car, regardless of its color.
Echolalia and Peace Like a River
We have seen this in practice within our home with our son, Judah. Although this has sometimes been frustrating because we long to communicate in typical ways, there have also been some blessings. With Gestalt Language Processing, Judah often uses echolalia (the repetition of phrases or sentences) to communicate. He will sing or shout lyrics to songs that he knows, often focusing on one part of the song and repeating it over and over. Some days, while working around the house, we will hear a shout from the other side, “I’ve got PEAAAAACE like a river!” echoed endlessly. On other days, I might hear, “YESSSSSSSSSSS Jesus loves me! YESSSSSSSSS Jesus loves me!” Each word often gets its own emphasis, and the words are rarely said or sung in the traditional tune. Yet my wife and I hear this and rejoice. Even though our son is not advancing in language development like a typical child, he is expressing the truth of God repeatedly in our home.
The Importance of Inclusivity
God is glorified in Judah's repeated shouts of praise, revealing the beauty of authentic worship that transcends conventional communication. The church will miss out on a multitude of blessings if it ignores or neglects those who may be neurologically different from the typical person. We will miss the beauty of those created in the image of God. We will miss the opportunity to serve and be served by those whom Christ loves. They can and are used by God to encourage and strengthen the church. A church that ignores and does not welcome those who are different misses the chance to see the glory of God clearly displayed through those the Lord has blessed with specific disabilities and struggles. As Jesus said of a man born blind, his disability was not a result of sin, but “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3, ESV).
By embracing children like Judah and creating an inclusive environment, we open our hearts and our church to the richness of God’s creation. Let us strive to be a community that reflects God’s love and grace, ensuring that every child feels welcomed and valued. In doing so, we not only honor them but also witness the transformative power of God’s works through their lives. How can we, as a community, take steps toward inclusivity and truly embrace the beauty of every child?