Echolalia is the act of repeating someone else’s words, either immediately or later. Although echolalia is a distinct stage of language development, it usually ends when a child is three years old and has more advanced language abilities.
Echolalia is a typical sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it can also occur in non-autistic individuals. Stimming techniques are self-stimulating procedures referred to as “stimming”. It usually involves repetitive motions or noises. Some people with ADHD also use sound echo as a technique to calm or stimulate themselves.
Read more: ADHD in children: myths and facts.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not include echolocation in its diagnostic criteria for ADHD because it is not a typical symptom. But nevertheless, psychologists consider it a symptom, so let’s find out what it is.
Echolalia: What is this?
Echolalia is the term used to describe the repetition of another person’s words. It is a repetitive procedure that often appears futile but is believed to serve several goals. It is not a one-time occurrence or an occasional repetition or quote to prove a point or to clarify or some other reason.
According to NCBI, acoustic echoes are often associated with autism (about 75% of children with autism show echo symptoms). This symptom is also present in people with ADHD.
Types of Echolalia
There are different classes of Echolalia. It is characterized by the time frame, for example:
- Instant echo: The immediate or rapid repetition of phrases or words.
- Delayed echo: Repetition of phrases or words after a long time.
It is characterized by purpose, for example:
- Functional echolalia: used to communicate and communicate with others.
- Non-interactive echo: It is mainly used for one’s interest or convenience and rarely as a tool for interpersonal communication.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology InformationEcholalia can be abbreviated, indicating that when a person repeats anything, they are making a slight modification to the words.
Echolalia: Symptoms and Causes
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersEchoes often arise when a person lacks or does not use standard language to communicate. This may result from an ASD diagnosis or a language delay.
Examples include:
- When asked, “What do you have for dinner?” A person can answer, “What did you have for dinner,” and then wait for someone to order something more specific. Alternatively, they may repeat something they are told during the meal, such as “Don’t spill the pasta.”
- The person may ask, “Do you want juice?” To indicate that they would like juice or thirst, or they might sing a song from a product to indicate that it’s what they’d like to have for lunch.
- Although this is inconsistent with behavior, he may tell the young child, “We don’t take our friend’s toys” when the other child does something they don’t like. They repeat a word or phrase they have heard to express criticism of a particular work. If they want to control their behavior, they can repeat it themselves.
Outside of these specific cases, Echolalia can manifest in different ways. However, it usually occurs as a means of interpersonal communication, information retention, or self-regulation.
Read more: What are the causes of poor mental health.
away
Don’t be alarmed if you notice your toddler repeating what you or other people say. This is a normal stage in language development.
Consult your doctor if your child still frequently repeats words and phrases, especially if he is not expressing himself effectively or in ways appropriate for his age. There are many possible causes of echocardiography in children when it is not developing normally. If necessary, your health care professional can assist with the examination and guide you toward the appropriate course of action.
Since acoustic echo is a sign of ADHD, so check first if you have ADHD. Take the ADHD test now! let’s do it, click here.
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