Echolalia
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˌɛkə(ʊ)ˈleɪlɪə/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Echolalia is a noun meaning (clinical psychology, autism) The involuntary repetitive echoing of words or phrases spoken by another person; either immediate or delayed.
Meaning
(clinical psychology, autism) The involuntary repetitive echoing of words or phrases spoken by another person; either immediate or delayed.
More Meanings
- An infant's repetitive imitation of vocal sounds spoken by another person, occurring naturally during childhood development.
- Any apparently meaningless, repetitious noises, especially voices.
Example Sentences
There was the boom of a bass drum, and the voice of the orchestra leader rang out suddenly above the echolalia of the garden.
Their echolalic responses may be much more extensive than the single words or short phrases that are characteristic of normal echolalia. Thus, a pseudoverbal autistic child may respond to "Do you want a cookie, Jimmy?" with a replication of the very same words.
Word Forms
- echolalias
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include echophrasia, palilalia, perseveration, neolalia, echophony, echopraxic.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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