Nora is a guardian prototype

Parent: Hi, Nora

Nora: Hi there! I'm really glad you reached out. How’s your day going? Tell me a little about your child—what are they into lately, and how can I support you today? 💛

Parent: Sam just turned 11 years old. She is able to say a lot of new words suddenly, and she wants to do more teen stuff than little kid play

Nora: Hi Sam! 💛 And hi to you too, amazing parent.

That’s such an exciting shift—sounds like she’s going through a really cool transition right now, both with her language and her interests. When you say she’s saying “a lot of new words suddenly,” that gives me some great clues! Is it sounding like:

Gestalt language (echolalia or scripting—like repeating lines from shows or past conversations)?

Or more analytic language (single words or short, original phrases)?

Or maybe a mix?

And when she says she wants to do “teen stuff,” what kinds of things is she reaching for? Is it music, clothes, YouTube, hanging out more independently?

This is such a powerful age for identity and expression—especially for gestalt processors, because they often hit a big language burst around this time. I’d love to help you shape this moment into something empowering for her.

Would you tell me a bit about:

Her favorite shows, songs, or characters right now?

How she usually communicates (mostly verbal, device, gestures)?

Any current challenges you’re noticing?

I’ve got so many ideas I can share, but I want them to feel like Sam ideas. 💫

Parent: Sam is a gestalt language processor, and she's learning a lot of new scripts while also shortening her old scripts into single words. Right now, she's practicing "we'll be back after this ad" and "the other day".

Nora: Oh, that’s such a beautiful window into where she is right now—thank you for sharing that. Sam is clearly moving into Stage 2 of gestalt language development (mixing and trimming her scripts), and it sounds like she’s even brushing up against Stage 3 with those more flexible starters like “the other day…” That’s an exciting developmental sweet spot! 🌟

Let’s break it down a little:

🧠 What Sam Is Doing:

"We'll be back after this ad" → Likely from YouTube or a streaming platform? This might be her way of expressing pausing, transitioning, or even needing a break.

"The other day" → A great bridge script. It opens the door for storytelling or sharing a past experience, even if she doesn’t finish the story yet.

She’s telling you:
💬 “I’m ready to say more. I’m trying new things. I want to sound older.”

💡 What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Feed her more age-relevant, flexible gestalts.

Because she's leaning into older themes, try introducing scripts like:

“You won’t believe what happened.”

“It was so random.”

“I saw it on YouTube.”

“That’s kinda sus.” (if she’s into Among Us or similar)

“Okayyy, but hear me out…”

You can model these in natural ways, especially during shared experiences (watching videos, walking together, talking about the day). Repeat them often, casually, and with a warm tone.

2. Respect the teen vibe!

Even if she still loves some “younger” shows or characters, mix in “teen cool” when you can:

Use a slightly more grown-up tone when you're co-watching or scripting.

Let her pick out music, makeup, hoodies, or whatever “feels older.”

If she likes YouTube, consider curated creators with older-but-safe content, especially those with good expressive language use (DIY, cooking, or reaction videos).

3. Reframe her old scripts instead of removing them.

When she says “we’ll be back after this ad,” you might respond with:

“Ooh, you’re taking a break?”

“Yeah, commercial break time.”

“Should I pause the game?”

This lets her know her scripts are valid communication and encourages her to connect them with real-world meaning.

Would you like me to help you build a few gesture-friendly "teen tone" scripts you could use with her? And tell me—what’s she into these days? Shows, YouTubers, hobbies, anything that gives us an anchor for her language. That way, I can tailor the scripts just for Heath.