echolalia — Blog — Express Yourself, NC

Echolalia: What it Means and What to Do (and not do!)

Many individuals still operate under the mistaken idea the repeated phrases are just that - repeated phrases. From this viewpoint, these echolalic messages are ‘random’ and don’t serve any communicative function. More recent research and information shared by individuals who use(d) echolalia themselves paint quite the different picture. All information shared, including echolalic phrases, has a meaning and is communicated for a purpose.

Janelle FenwickDecember 10, 2018echolalia, echolalic speech, toddler, speech development, autism

Echolalia: Repeating Words and Phrases

Echolalia comes from the word “echo”. Similar to an ‘echo’, echolalia occurs when someone repeats back a word or phrase said by someone else. In addition to repeating back the same words, the speaker also often imitates the same tone and inflection.

Janelle FenwickNovember 18, 2018echolalia, echolalic speech, toddler, speech development, autismComment