What is Echolalia?

[two_third]Echolalia is the unprompted repetition or “echoing” of another person’s words or phrases. The term comes from the Greek words echo (meaning “to repeat”) and laliá or laléo (meaning “to talk”). Diagnostic professionals may characterize children as “echolalic” if they demonstrate imitative speech heard from other individuals, read aloud from books, or gathered from music or television shows. The issue is that child’s speech consists of repetition from other activities instead of engaging in meaningful vocabulary and phrases.[/two_third]

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While at first glance children with echolalia may seem to use vocabulary beyond their years, it soon becomes apparent that they do not completely understand what they are saying. For example, a child may be able to sing a “grown up” song word-for-word, but he cannot ask for juice that he needs or follow simple two-step commands. To put it simply, the child can repeat certain words without knowing how to apply, interpret, or use them.

What is the Link Between Echolalia and Autism?

Echolalia is a condition that may occur concurrently with autism. Research shows that nearly 85-percent of children with autism demonstrate some type of echolalia. The bright side of this condition is that it may be a sign that children with autism may become verbal, respond positively to speech therapy, and start expressing themselves effectively with spoken language.

It is important to note that in several ways, echolalia can be a normal part of language development. Children usually begin emulating speech at around 18 months, and this practice generally peaks at around 30 months old. The practice then falls out of use by the time a child turns 3 years old. At this stage, children begin to become conversations by asking questions, responding to requests, and formulating thoughts of their own.

In verbal children with autism, however, echolalia can occur more frequently and last beyond the 30-month period of other children. The condition may show up as a repetitive behavior (such as spontaneously quoting lines from a movie several times a day), and the context of the verbiage may appear to have nothing to do with the current subject at hand. Moreover, echolalia may not just include the words themselves, but also an exact imitation of the voice the child heard at the time.

What are the Different Types of Echolalia?

There are two primary types of echolalia: immediate echolalia and delayed echolalia.

Immediate Echolalia:

Refers to when a child repeats words or phrases very quickly after first hearing them. For example, a child may immediately repeat a question (“Do you want some milk?”) instead of responding with the appropriate reply (“Yes” or “No”).

In addition to parroting of an entire phrase, some children may immediately repeat the last few words of a sentence to indicate their answer. Professionals suggest that this may be a way of lowering anxiety or “buying time” to process the question before providing their answer.

Delayed Echolalia:

Refers to when a child echoes words or phrases long after first hearing them. The delay can last hours, weeks, or even months after the child first hears the word or phrase, making it seem far out of context when the imitation occurs. For example, a child with delayed echolalia may begin to sing “Happy Birthday” to every person who enters a room (after having picked up the song from a birthday party attended months before).

How to Interact With Children with Echolalia

Although the condition may startle or confuse parents and caregivers initially, there are beneficial tips for interacting with children with this condition.

For additional resources to help children with echolalia, contact The Warren Center for more information on strategies and treatment plans.