Limitations & Boundaries
Understanding what Gestallt does well—and what it doesn’t do—helps you decide if it’s right for your team.
What Gestallt Is
Documentation platform
Gestallt is designed to capture, structure, and share observations about a child’s communication patterns. It’s a collaborative record that connects home observations with clinical analysis.
Collaboration tool
Multiple people (parents, therapists, educators) can contribute to and view the same record. Everyone sees the same context.
GLP-aware structure
The data model is designed around gestalt language processing concepts—stages, function, source attribution—making it useful for teams doing GLP-focused work.
What Gestallt Is Not
Not AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
Gestallt is for documenting communication, not for facilitating communication. If you need an AAC app (Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, etc.), Gestallt complements those tools but doesn’t replace them.
Not clinical billing or EMR
Gestallt doesn’t integrate with insurance systems, generate billing codes, or replace clinical documentation systems. It’s designed for capture and collaboration, not administrative workflows.
Not a diagnosis tool
Gestallt doesn’t assess, diagnose, or provide clinical recommendations. Stage classifications and observations are documentation, not clinical judgments.
Not a replacement for professional support
Documentation is valuable, but it doesn’t replace working with qualified speech-language pathologists and other professionals.
Current Constraints
Requires internet connection
Gestallt currently requires an internet connection to function. There’s no offline mode—entries can’t be created or viewed without connectivity.
Workaround: If you’re somewhere without connection, jot a quick note in your phone’s notes app and add it to Gestallt when you’re back online.
English-focused
The UI and GLP stage descriptions are currently English only. Internationalization may come in the future, but for now the product is optimized for English-speaking teams.
Text-only entries
Entries are text-based. You can’t attach audio or video recordings of phrases directly.
Workaround: Describe what you heard in the phrase and context fields. You can reference external recordings in your notes.
No built-in analytics
There’s no automatic progress visualization or charting. You can filter by stage and date to see patterns, but you won’t get auto-generated graphs.
Why: We prioritized capture and collaboration first. Analytics may come later.
No direct messaging
Team communication happens outside Gestallt. There’s no chat or comment thread on entries.
Workaround: Use the clinical notes field to add context that other team members will see.
Privacy Boundaries
HIPAA-compatible, not HIPAA-certified
We use HIPAA-compatible infrastructure, but HIPAA compliance requires organizational policies beyond what software alone can provide. We’re honest about this distinction.
See: Security & Privacy
No cross-team access
There’s no way for Gestallt staff to view your team’s data without your explicit permission. Team isolation is enforced at the database level.
Data stays in your team
Entries are never shared across teams, used for aggregate analysis, or accessed for any purpose other than providing the service to your team.
When Gestallt Might Not Be Right
Consider alternatives if:
- You need AAC: Gestallt is documentation, not communication assistance
- You need EMR integration: We don’t connect to clinical systems
- You work offline frequently: Connectivity is currently required
- You need automatic progress reports: Filtering exists, but not auto-generated visualizations
- You’re the only user: Gestallt shines with team collaboration; solo use works but isn’t the primary design goal
Roadmap Considerations
These aren’t promises, but areas we’re thinking about:
- Offline support with sync
- Progress visualization / simple charts
- More language support
- Audio/video attachments
- Export functionality
If any of these are critical for your team, let us know—user feedback shapes priorities.
Questions?
If you’re unsure whether Gestallt fits your needs, check the FAQ or reach out with specific questions.