Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
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If a child or adult suddenly develops echolalia it is a good idea to seek medical care. This article discusses the different causes and types of echolalia and some treatments to consider. It also explains how echolalia in children with autism can be a step in the process of learning to speak.
Echolalia Can Be Part of Normal DevelopmentMany children echo sounds and phrases as they are learning to talk.Some even mimic specific voices. If you hear your child echoing words and phrases, but they are also developing speech and other skills normally, you may not have any cause for concern.
Echolalia Can Be Part of Normal Development
Many children echo sounds and phrases as they are learning to talk.Some even mimic specific voices. If you hear your child echoing words and phrases, but they are also developing speech and other skills normally, you may not have any cause for concern.
Symptoms of Echolalia
People with echolalia “echo” or repeat words, sounds, or phrases. Sometimes the repeated words have no meaning, but they are often used to communicate. Echolalia can be disturbing to listeners because it sounds strange, but in itself, it is not harmful or dangerous.
Types of Echolalia
The types of echolalia include:
Causes of Echolalia
Echolalia can be a normal part of speech development in young children. If it is not, however, some of the most common causes of echolalia include:
It’s important to note thatTourette’s syndrome(a disorder of making unwanted repetitive movements or sounds) is not a cause of echolalia. That’s because the repetition of sounds in Tourette’s syndrome comes from a different cause and has different features.
How to Treat Echolalia
When echolalia is treated, treatment may have different purposes.For example:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Echolalia?
It isn’t always necessary to diagnose the cause of echolalia because it’s usually associated with an already-known issue, such as autism or aphasia. However, healthcare providers will usually want to conduct a physical exam if it comes on suddenly. They may also want to test for:
If echolalia occurs in a child who is otherwise developing normally and does not seem to be impeding the child’s speech development, there is no need to seek out a healthcare provider. You may, however, wish to consult your pediatrician to confirm your assessment that your child is developing normally.
If echolalia is a symptom of a known developmental or speech disorder, it is important to include speech therapy in the person’s treatment plan.
If echolalia comes on suddenly, immediately seek medical advice. It could result from a head injury or stroke and should be treated right away.
If echolalia begins in older childhood or adulthood, even without stroke or injury, it is important to seek treatment. It could be the result of emerging mental illness or dementia.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Echolalia is not always a problem, and it can even be a step forward for a child who is a late talker. It can also, however, be a symptom of a serious disorder. If you have concerns about echolalia, especially if it comes on suddenly, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEcholalia is very common in autism. In fact, it may be present in up to 75% of people on the autism spectrum.Echolalia in autism may be an important step toward functional speech. It may also be a means for self-calming. In either case, speech or behavioral therapy may help to either channel or reduce echolalia.Echolalia does occur in some people with ADHD.While children with autism may use echolalia as a tool for communication, children with ADHD most often use it to calm themselves.Yes, adults can develop echolalia. While most children with echolalia are autistic or have other developmental issues, adults who develop echolalia are more likely to experience it as the result of a stroke, brain injury, mental illness, or a form of dementia.
Echolalia is very common in autism. In fact, it may be present in up to 75% of people on the autism spectrum.Echolalia in autism may be an important step toward functional speech. It may also be a means for self-calming. In either case, speech or behavioral therapy may help to either channel or reduce echolalia.
Echolalia does occur in some people with ADHD.While children with autism may use echolalia as a tool for communication, children with ADHD most often use it to calm themselves.
Yes, adults can develop echolalia. While most children with echolalia are autistic or have other developmental issues, adults who develop echolalia are more likely to experience it as the result of a stroke, brain injury, mental illness, or a form of dementia.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Early Warning Signs of Autism.Berthier ML, Torres-Prioris MJ, López-Barroso D.Thinking on treating echolalia in aphasia: recommendations and caveats for future research directions.Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:164. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00164Indiana University Bloomington.Functional categories of delayed echolalia.van Santen JP, Sproat RW, Hill AP.Quantifying repetitive speech in autism spectrum disorders and language impairment.Autism Res. 2013;6(5):372-383. doi:10.1002/aur.1301Cleveland Clinic.Echolalia.The A.D.D. Resource Center.The effects of ADHD on communication.Additional ReadingGladfelter A, VanZuiden C.The influence of language context on repetitive speech use in children with autism spectrum disorder.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2020;29(1):327-334. doi: 10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-00003
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Early Warning Signs of Autism.Berthier ML, Torres-Prioris MJ, López-Barroso D.Thinking on treating echolalia in aphasia: recommendations and caveats for future research directions.Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:164. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00164Indiana University Bloomington.Functional categories of delayed echolalia.van Santen JP, Sproat RW, Hill AP.Quantifying repetitive speech in autism spectrum disorders and language impairment.Autism Res. 2013;6(5):372-383. doi:10.1002/aur.1301Cleveland Clinic.Echolalia.The A.D.D. Resource Center.The effects of ADHD on communication.Additional ReadingGladfelter A, VanZuiden C.The influence of language context on repetitive speech use in children with autism spectrum disorder.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2020;29(1):327-334. doi: 10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-00003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Early Warning Signs of Autism.Berthier ML, Torres-Prioris MJ, López-Barroso D.Thinking on treating echolalia in aphasia: recommendations and caveats for future research directions.Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:164. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00164Indiana University Bloomington.Functional categories of delayed echolalia.van Santen JP, Sproat RW, Hill AP.Quantifying repetitive speech in autism spectrum disorders and language impairment.Autism Res. 2013;6(5):372-383. doi:10.1002/aur.1301Cleveland Clinic.Echolalia.The A.D.D. Resource Center.The effects of ADHD on communication.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Early Warning Signs of Autism.
Berthier ML, Torres-Prioris MJ, López-Barroso D.Thinking on treating echolalia in aphasia: recommendations and caveats for future research directions.Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:164. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00164
Indiana University Bloomington.Functional categories of delayed echolalia.
van Santen JP, Sproat RW, Hill AP.Quantifying repetitive speech in autism spectrum disorders and language impairment.Autism Res. 2013;6(5):372-383. doi:10.1002/aur.1301
Cleveland Clinic.Echolalia.
The A.D.D. Resource Center.The effects of ADHD on communication.
Gladfelter A, VanZuiden C.The influence of language context on repetitive speech use in children with autism spectrum disorder.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2020;29(1):327-334. doi: 10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-00003
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