Definition & Meaning of "echolalia"

What is "echolalia"?

Echolalia is a behavior where individuals unintentionally repeat words or phrases spoken by others. This repetition can occur immediately after hearing the words, or it may be delayed. Echolalia is often seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or certain neurological conditions. While it may seem like simple repetition, there are different reasons why individuals do it; it could be a form of communication, self-stimulation, or processing language. Even though it can be repetitive, echolalia is often a normal part of language development in young children and may decrease as communication skills improve. Therapy and treatments to improve communication skills and understanding language context are often used to address echolalia in individuals with ASD or related conditions.