Immediate versus Delayed Echolalia

You've likely heard of echolalia or 'scripting,' but did you know there is an immediate echolalia and a delayed echolalia? 

Immediate echolalia refers to a word or phrase that a child repeats *immediately* after it is heard, whereas delayed echolalia refers to utterances that are repeated moments, days, weeks, or even months after it was originally heard. Both are likely to be repeated using the exact same intonation as the original source.

It is important to make the distinction between the two types when scoring language samples of gestalt language processors while monitoring their progress through the stages of Natural Language Acquisition (I typically score Immediate Echolalia as '0' and Delayed Echolalia as '1').

Working with a speech-language pathologist or team that is well-versed in understanding and honouring echolalia will help kids who process language this way!

At HAEPI SLP, we are so excited to have SLPs, CDAs, and a music therapist on board who honour all types of communication. 

by Halle Demchuk, SLP

Paediatric SLP | GLP-Trained Clinician | Owner of HAEPI SLP