What is echolalia?
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!
-Sabrina
