Special Education Resources

The child's spontaneous language comes from within, and is self-centered. It is important to acknowledge this communication. Unfortunately what the deaf child often sees is a puzzled look or a frown because he is not understood. The late Marguerite Stoner from the John Tracy Clinic developed a system called GLGSP (General Language General Speech Pattern) , which gives the child consistent, clear, and immediate feedback on the effectiveness of his communication. GLGSP is a system that enables you to organize your reactions to all communication attempts. It is positive, and the ultimate goal is self-monitoring.

GLGSP includes these basic elements 1.understanding 2.evaluation of language 3.evaluation of speech and 4.a positive response. GLGSP is flexible, and can be modified to suit individual language and speech levels. It soon becomes automatic.

The operational objectives of GLGSP are:

1) Consistent expectations for the child to use language for communication.
2) Consistent indication of understanding or lack of understanding.
3) Consistent evaluation of child's language according to his ability.
4) Consistent evaluation of child's speech according to his ability.
5) Consistent appropriate responses to child's communication.

The framework of GLGSP is as follows:

Step 1) EXPECTANCY
Always maintain an appropriately high level of expectation.

Step 2) UNDERSTANDING
If a deaf child is trying to communicate with an adult because he wants something, it does not matter to him if he uses good language or speech or if he just points. He only wants to be understood. If his communicative intent is not clear, tell him you do not understand, and make a sincere effort to figure it out. As soon as you do understand say, "I understand." The child then relaxes with that acknowledged understanding

Step 3) LANGUAGE EVALUATION
a) If the language is correct say, "Good language!"
b) If the language is absent or incorrect you must decide if he needs to be given the language. "Your language is ice cream", "I want ice cream"; or, he can be reminded to use language he has been taught with, "Use your language."
c) If the language was used but needs to be corrected, e.g.,"me want ice cream," say "Better language is: I want ice cream," or if that language has been taught say "use better language."
d) If the language concept is above the child's level, then give the receptive model. Say, "This is better language___________," but do not expect him to repeat it.

Step 4) SPEECH EVALUATION
a) This is to be used only if the language is correct.
b) If the speech is correct say "good speech".
c) If the speech is not correct say, "This is better speech ( correcting the speech error)" Then practice the correct speech a few times. If the child is able to self correct, say "Use better speech."

Step 5) RESPONSE
In order for the communication process to be meaningful, always make an appropriate response to the child's language. This way he learns that communication goes two ways.

TIPS:
1. Do not use GLGSP when the answer is "no."
2. Use the exact language your child is trying to formulate.
3. After three attempts, move on, with the response "That was a good try."

Check the following rationale for using GLGSP:
1. It reduces frustration .
2. It teaches language, when the child has the intent to use that language.
3. It can be used with children of all ages, at their level.
4. It is not limited to specialists and therapy sessions.
5. It provides specific monitoring of each attempt at communication.
6. It can specifically address grammar, word endings, sentence patterns, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, pronouns, articulation, social language or whatever you feel is an appropriate target.
7. No materials are needed--just a little practice. It soon becomes automatic.
8. It provides a positive attitude by the use of the "I understand," and the response.
9. It shifts the responsibility of good communication to the child.

At the beginning level, the primary goal is to make the child aware of and to reinforce, the power of language. The child will take pride in his ability to use language to communicate. Refining language is the next step at each child's indicated level. With GLGSP, The key to success is consistency--it needs to become a "way of life."

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