Autism And Echolalia

Autism And Echolalia

Repetition and imitation are crucial parts of speech and language development, and they are a normal aspect of growing up. Children with autism, on the other hand, have challenges in this area. If your autistic child exhibits echolalia, you may be wondering if he or she has it. There are certain symptoms that your child may be suffering from it, and you may learn more about how you, as a parent, can better understand them.

What Is Echolalia? 

The repetition of phrases and words is known as echolalia. It’s a one-of-a-kind type of verbal impersonation. Toddlers pick up on sounds they hear and imitate them. Typically developing children will begin to use language to communicate after a while. Most children communicate with others by picking and composing phrases when they are three years old. They communicate in creative ways by using language in their own unique way.

However, echolalia is one of the most common communication traits in autistic people. While repetition is a natural part of language acquisition, it might be an indication of ASD if it continues through the toddler years.

 

What Are The Different Types? 

The immediate and delayed echolalia are the two types of echolalia.

Immediate echolalia occurs when an autistic person echoes something back to the adult right away- an instantaneous echo. For example, if the parent asks, “Do you want a drink?” the youngster will respond quickly, “You want a drink.”

In this scenario, the toddler may truly want a drink. However, rather than using a creative phrase such as “yes, please,” the youngster simply repeats what the adult says.

The autistic person memorizes a phrase through delayed echolalia. This remark, or possibly a paragraph, could have been from a book or a television show. The phrase is then repeated after a length of time has passed since it was first heard. Autistic children may have excellent auditory memories. This allows them to recall what they’ve heard from memory.

Delayed echolalia also occurs when a kid repeats certain lines or phrases, or even significant chunks of scripts that are more complicated than they can formulate.

 

What Should Be Done About Echolalia? 

In everyday life, echolalia can be a hindrance. However, entirely eliminating it would be a bad decision. In the lives of children with autism, echolalia can be extremely beneficial. Functional echolalia, or echolalia with a purpose, could be incredibly beneficial. This indicates that your child has figured out how to express his or her wants and demands. This mode of communication can be improved with the help of a speech therapist.

It may be a good place to start speech and play treatment in the event of non-functional echolalia. The toddler may repeatedly say the phrases he or she has memorized. This could be a technique to help them relax and calm their anxiety. This conduct may also reflect the child’s interest in the activity they are repeating.

In either case, professional play and speech therapy with your kid can help them use their language skills more effectively over time.

 

Where To Seek Help? 

As autistic children suffer from communication barriers, Continua Kids has a well-trained team of speech and language pathologists that have years of experience working with kids on the spectrum. These specialists are experienced in assisting children with special needs achieve their goals by engaging them in social activities and providing emotional support. 

For a detailed consultation with the best autism doctor in Delhi, book an appointment today! 

 

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