#echomimia

Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases orally. This can be saying the same word over and over (potato potato potato potato) or it can be repeating a word or phrase you previously heard/said. For instance, I often respond to people with “All good things, all good things” which is a quote from Olaf from Frozen. I even hear it in his voice when I say it. Echolalia also overlaps with scripting in that it can be repeating things that you yourself have previously said. 

Basically, echolalia is echoing speech. Echolalia is part of a broader classification of behaviors known as echophenomena which include the following:

Echolalia: the repetition of words or sounds orally

Echolalioplasia: the repetition of sign language

Echologia: the repetition of words or sounds in thought

Echomimia: the repetition of facial expressions

Echopraxia: the repetition of movements

Echographia: the repetition of words when written or typed

Echoplasia: the repetition of physically or mentally tracing the contours of objects

I hope this helps!

I would say that numbers 2, 3, and 4 are definitely echophenomena. 2 and 4 sound like echolalia, and 3 is called echomimia (the repetition of facial expressions). 

The only reason I hesitate to call number 1 an echophenomenon is that I don’t believe there’s a specific name for it. That being said, it is similar enough to echographia (the repetition of written/typed words) that I would guess it does count as echophenomena, even if it doesn’t have a name. 

Yes. This is often related to echolalia/echomimia/echopraxia or other echophenomena. 

Yes, that can be an autism thing. This would be a combination of echomimia (repeating facial expressions) and echopraxia (repeating body movements) which are forms of echophenomena like echolalia. 

We have explanations of a lot of the terms we use on our FAQ page which is where the following information was pulled from:

What are echophenomena?

Echophenomena are a category of patterns that are common among autistic people as well as several other disabilities. These patterns are repetitive in nature and are often repetition of another, though some can be repetitions of the self. Some examples of echophenomena are:

Echolalia: the repetition of words or sounds orally

Echolalioplasia: the repetition of sign language

Echologia: the repetition of words or sounds in thought

Echomimia: the repetition of facial expressions

Echopraxia: the repetition of movements

Echographia: the repetition of words when written or typed

Echoplasia: the repetition of physically or mentally tracing the contours of objects

Yep! This can be a form of echophenomena known as echomimia.

This sounds like a mix of echolalia (reading outloud) and echomimia (acting out what you’re reading the characters doing).

Yes, this is a form of echomimia which is the mimicking of actions and is an echophenomena like echolalia.