What is Echolalia? - LEARN Behavioral

Echolalia is the repetition of words, phrases, or sounds that someone else has said. It can occur immediately after hearing the words (immediate echolalia) or after some time has passed (delayed echolalia). Echolalia is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), where it may serve as a way to communicate, process language, or self-stimulate.

In applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, understanding echolalia is important because it can show what a person is trying to say, even when they are repeating words. Therapists can help turn that repeptition into more useful ways to communicate.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, echolalia is a typical part of language development in toddlers but often lasts longer in children with developmental differences (source).

Support for Your Child’s Growth

Learn more about our ABA services and how we can help your child reach their full potential.

EXPLORE SERVICES

Examples of Echolalia in ABA Therapy

Example 1: Immediate Echolalia in a Request

A therapist asks, “Do you want juice?” and the child repeats, “Do you want juice?” instead of answering.

In ABA therapy, this repetition is analyzed as potentially communicative. The therapist may model an appropriate response like, “Yes, juice please,” and reinforce it when used.

Example 2: Delayed Echolalia as Self-Stimulation

Hours after watching a cartoon, a child repeats a line from the show: “Let’s go on an adventure!” This delayed repetition may serve as self-stimulation (also called scripting). ABA therapy can help teach the child alternative ways to self-regulate or engage socially.

Example 3: Echolalia for Social Interaction

During a play session, a child repeats what their peer says as a way of participating in the conversation. Therapists might shape this into reciprocal communication skills, like asking and answering questions.

For more insight into how ABA helps with communication, visit our blog: How ABA Helps Build Communication Skills.

Why is Echolalia Important in ABA?

Understanding echolalia is key to supporting children in developing more effective communication skills. ABA therapists use strategies to:

Determine the function of echolalia — whether it’s a request, affirmation, or self-soothing behavior
Teach appropriate verbal or alternative communication skills that meet the same need.

Echolalia is not simply a “problem behavior” to eliminate but a valuable clue to what a child is trying to express. With structured support, children often transition from echolalic speech to functional language.Learn more about communication-focused interventions: What is Functional Communication Training?

Start a Meaningful Career in ABA

Interested in a career helping children with autism? Discover rewarding ABA career opportunities.

VIEW CAREERS

FAQs: What People Ask About Echolalia

What does echolalia mean in autism?

Echolalia in autism refers to repeating words, phrases, or sounds, either immediately or after a delay. It is a hallmark characteristic of ASD and often represents an attempt at communication or self-regulation (ASHA source).

Is echolalia normal?

Echolalia is a normal stage in early language development for children up to about age 3. If it continues beyond that age or is excessive, it may indicate a developmental delay such as autism (CDC source).

Can echolalia be functional?

Yes. Echolalia can serve meaningful purposes such as making a request, affirming something, initiating interaction, or self-soothing. ABA therapy works to build on these functions and teach clearer communication.

Will echolalia go away?

With the right interventions, echolalia often decreases as more functional communication skills develop. The timeline varies depending on the child and the strategies used.

How does ABA help with echolalia?

ABA therapy helps by identifying why a child uses echolalia and teaching them other ways to meet that need through language, gestures, or other communication tools.

Echolalia Key Takeaways

Echolalia is the repetition of spoken words or phrases, immediate or delayed, and is common in autism.
It can serve communicative, regulatory, or social functions.
ABA therapy focuses on shaping echolalia into functional communication rather than suppressing it entirely.

With appropriate support, many children replace echolalia with more effective language skills over time.