Echolalia is the automatic repetition of verbal expressions pronounced by other people and is a characteristic feature of autism. Echolalia should be considered as a dynamic and integral component of the communicative functioning of the child. However, if it is not kept under control, it could turn into a habit that hinders the development of social skills. The best way to block echolalia is to teach the autistic child more effective and efficient ways to communicate.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Teach the Child How to Answer Questions
Step 1. Help the child understand that it is okay to say “I don't know”
If there are any questions he doesn't know the answer to, he has to learn to say "I don't know." In this way, the echolalia can be controlled to improve the child's communication skills.
- It has been shown that teaching a child to use the expression “I don't know” to answer questions to which he or she does not know exactly the answer helps him to grasp and use new phrases appropriately. In this way, the repetition of the last word or the last sentence you hear can be controlled.
- The child may be asked for something he does not know. For example, to help him deal with the question “Where are your friends?”, The answer “I don't know” may be suggested. The question can be repeated several times, until the child finally answers independently.
Step 2. Encourage the child to provide the correct answer
Children with autism resort to echolalia when they do not know what to say or how to answer a question. They do not know which answers are adequate, so the best approach is to teach the child the correct answer.
- For example, for the question "What is your name?" the correct answer may be suggested, instead of suggesting "I don't know". The exercise can be repeated until the child provides the right answer.
- This approach is not always applicable. The child cannot be taught the correct answers for all questions. For example, if asked “What is the color of the shirt?”, The color will be different depending on the shirt being worn, so there cannot be a single answer. Consequently this approach can only be applied to standard questions.
Step 3. Help the child overcome echolalia by using a pattern to fill in the blanks
The child may be asked to fill in the blanks. For example, offer him the phrase “I want to eat -----”, giving him options to choose from, such as an apple or a cookie.
- Let me tell you which word you want to fill in the blank. If he can't say what he wants, you can ask him if he would like to eat an apple or a cookie.
- Most likely, the child will repeat the last word he heard, that is, biscuit, despite wanting to eat an apple. So give him the cookie and if he seems unsatisfied, try saying “It seems like you don't want to eat this cookie. So do you want to eat this apple?”, Then show him the apple. "If you prefer to eat this apple, you say yes." To help the child, we can suggest saying 'yes'.
Step 4. Teach the child ready-to-use answers
One of the techniques that is successful to unaccustom the child to echolalia is to create some ready-to-use answers.
- These can become the answers for some common and generic questions. Once the child is able to handle these general questions, he may begin to address slightly modified questions that relate to common questions, but which can be seen as specific questions.
- This gradual process can provide the tools to build trust, vocabulary, communication and adequate interaction in the child.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Modeling Technique
Step 1. Try to understand what the modeling technique is all about
The modeling technique consists in the promotion of learning experiences through the observation of the behavior of a subject who acts as a model. Therefore, to elicit appropriate responses, the parent, therapist or any other adult in contact with the child should give the responses as if the child were responding.
- This technique is useful because the child tends to repeat what he has been told, so he can be taught the right answers by telling him what he should repeat and learn.
- Therefore, instead of asking the child questions and teaching him the right answers, care should be taken in modeling the answers, because an autistic child with echolalia will repeat exactly what is said to him. This technique is called modeling.
Step 2. Use the exact words you would like the child to use
Modeling should include exactly the words and phrases the child can understand, grasp and reproduce. If the child does not like to participate in an activity, he may express his disappointment by screaming, becoming aggressive, with a nervous breakdown or in other unpleasant ways. It can be helped to say words and phrases such as 'I don't want', 'no', 'not now'.
- For example, you already know that the child does not like to play with a certain toy, but to teach him to express himself you could encourage him to play with that toy and then continue to use phrases or words like 'no', 'I don't like', 'not. I want'.
- In this way, echolalia can be used to teach the child to communicate and develop vocabulary. When the child grasps the right words and phrases to communicate, the echolalia begins to gradually fade.
Step 3. Enrich your child's vocabulary and ability to communicate
If you are going to give your child a snack or have to drink his milk, then you should shape your sentences by saying “--------- wants to drink milk” (by entering the baby's name in the blank). “------------ it's ready to eat”.
- Since the child is good at repeating, this characteristic can be used to enrich his vocabulary. Usually, an autistic child resorts to echolalia because he does not know what to say and how to answer a question, request or command.
- When the child learns the language and builds his vocabulary, then his need to communicate verbally replaces the echolalia.
Step 4. Make affirmations instead of asking questions
When using the modeling technique to control echolalia in the baby, it is best to avoid questions like "Do you want this?", "Do you want me to help you?", "Do you like it?", Because there is a risk that the baby will remain anchored. to the pattern of the question as a result of its propensity to grasp whatever it feels. Therefore, repeat what he has to say or is expected to say.
- For example, if you see him trying to achieve something, instead of saying "Do you want me to help you?" or "Will I give it to you?", try saying "Help me get my toy", "Lift me up so that I can reach my book". By repeating what he should say, the child could overcome the echolalia.
- Basically, this method avoids the child's need to indulge in irrelevant repetitions due to his inability to respond adequately and appropriately. When he has begun to learn and understand the nuances of simple communication, he will be able to express himself without relying on echolalia.
Step 5. Avoid saying your child's name when practicing the modeling technique
Care should be taken when trying to communicate with a child suffering from echolalia, as they have a strong tendency to repeat. They are also very good at imitating, in fact they grasp what they hear with relative ease.
- For example, when you have to praise the child for a job well done, instead of saying his name, use only words to congratulate. Instead of saying "Good work Alex" just say "Good work" or show him with kisses, a pat on the back or a hug.
- Instead of saying "Hi Alex", it is preferable to just say "Hi". Using the name in these situations is tantamount to reinforcing the echolalia, because when he has to say “hello” he will end up adding his own name as well.
Method 3 of 3: Request Assistance for the Child
Step 1. Enroll your child in a music therapy course
Some studies have amply demonstrated that music therapy has a positive effect in the treatment of autism symptoms in children and adolescents.
- It can be used to improve verbal and non-verbal communication, and to improve social skills, reducing the tendency to imitation. Music therapy acts as a stimulus and facilitates language development, while attracting the attention of children with autism spectrum disorders.
- Structured songs and games related to music are part of music therapy. This musical intervention is based on a system in which the child is encouraged to participate and is involved in the choice of music.
Step 2. Make an appointment with a speech therapist
The latter could provide the solution for a wide range of problems related to language and communication. This technique involves:
- Make sure that the facial muscles and lips are exercised enough to develop the baby's articulation skills.
- Involve the child in singing songs that are particularly upbeat and catchy.
- Use the Image Exchange Communication (PEC) system, which integrates images and words, allowing the child to reconnect the terms to the figures.
- Use electronic devices. Children with autism are often good at using computers and other devices. Therefore they can be encouraged to type texts.
Step 3. Help the child feel calmer
Sometimes, the child arrives at echolalia as a natural reaction to situations that he cannot control. Seek refuge in echolalia to make sure everything is fine. Some of the factors that could disturb the child's inherently labile tranquility are the lack of a balanced diet and adequate rest, feeling emotionally stressed, tired or bored. Therefore it is up to the parent to provide the necessary support and care.
- Children with autism develop echolalia as a means of communicating because they want to express themselves, but are short of adequate words and phrases. For this the parent must provide for his emotional needs, trying to involve the child in better and more effective communication.
- Trying to involve the child in other activities, such as sport and art, could increase his self-esteem and, consequently, induce him to strive to adopt a more constructive conversation, letting the echolalia completely disappear or be reduced.
Step 4. Learn to distinguish the difference between immediate echolalia and delayed echolalia
We talk about immediate echolalia if, for example, you ask the child "Did you have breakfast?" and the child replies something like "Did you have breakfast?".
- We speak of postponed echolalia when the child hears someone saying something on television, on the phone, in a film or in any other context, records it and retrieves it at a later time. For example, he may hear something like "I like pancakes" and when he is hungry he will try to convey that information by saying "I like pancakes", although he has no intention of eating pancakes to satisfy his hunger.
- If the child indulges in echolalia, he probably understands the concept of communication, wants to learn to express himself and also tries to do it, but he lacks the appropriate tools.
Step 5. Create a good learning environment for your child
Echolalia manifests itself most clearly in those contexts that the child finds incomprehensible, difficult or unpredictable. These situations create fear, anger and a sense of insecurity that trigger echolalia. Therefore, creating a favorable atmosphere to involve him in tasks and activities is vital to overcome echolalia.
- Tasks and activities that are not too invigorating should be assigned to the child. Progress should be carefully evaluated and calibrated before moving on to the next level of learning. This serves to gradually make him more self-confident.
- Echolalia can explode when the child has difficulty understanding what is being asked of him. When the child is confident he will not feel embarrassed to say that he cannot understand what he has just been told and will ask for help in grasping the concepts.
