A key communication issue that autistic children experience is the tendency to repeat words they have heard, a condition known as
The correct answer and explanation is:
The condition is called echolalia. It is a common communication issue among autistic children, where they repeat words, phrases, or sounds they have heard, either immediately after hearing them (immediate echolalia) or after a delay (delayed echolalia).
Echolalia is considered a part of the natural development of language, but in children with autism, it can be a more prominent and repetitive behavior. It occurs because autistic children often struggle with initiating and maintaining meaningful conversations. Instead of using words creatively or spontaneously to express themselves, they may repeat things they’ve heard from others, like parents, teachers, or even television shows.
In some cases, echolalia is used by children as a way to communicate when they find it difficult to articulate their thoughts or needs. For example, a child might repeat a phrase like “Let’s go outside” because they want to go outside but aren’t yet able to construct the sentence themselves. On the other hand, delayed echolalia might be observed when a child repeats a phrase or sentence long after hearing it, sometimes in a context that doesn’t make sense. This delayed repetition might not be functional communication but rather an echoing of words they have memorized.
While echolalia can sometimes be frustrating for caregivers or educators, it is an important phase in the development of language skills for some children with autism. Speech therapy and behavioral interventions can help reduce echolalia over time and support children in using language more flexibly. A key goal is to teach the child how to use words and phrases in ways that are more meaningful and appropriate to their needs and social context.