echolalia
Pronunciation: /ˌɛkoʊˈleɪliə/
The repetition of words or phrases spoken by others, commonly seen in autism spectrum disorders and language development.
Full Definition
Echolalia is the automatic repetition of words, phrases, or sentences spoken by another person. This phenomenon can be immediate (repeating words right after hearing them) or delayed (repeating words or phrases heard hours, days, or weeks earlier). While echolalia is a normal part of language development in very young children, persistent echolalia beyond the typical developmental stage may indicate autism spectrum disorder, language delays, or other neurological conditions. Some echolalia can be functional, serving communicative purposes even when the child doesn't fully understand the meaning.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between immediate and delayed echolalia in documentation for clinical clarity.
In Context
- "The child demonstrated significant echolalia during the speech therapy evaluation." — Assessment report
- "Some children with autism use echolalia as a communication strategy before developing more functional language." — Educational material