Echoing Speech (Echolalia): What Parents Need to Know

Echoing speech is something many parents notice when their child repeats words or phrases they have just heard. This repetition can sound unusual at first, but in many cases it is a child’s way of learning how language works.

In speech pathology, echoing speech is often referred to as echolalia. While echolalia is commonly discussed in clinical settings, it is important to understand that echoing speech can have many meanings and is not always a sign of a problem.

What Is Echoing Speech?

Echoing Speech: What Parents Should Know

Echoing speech occurs when a child repeats words, phrases, or sentences spoken by someone else, often immediately after hearing them.

For example:

Adult: “Do you want a drink?”
Child: “Want a drink?”

This type of repetition is known clinically as immediate echolalia, but many families find the term echoing speech easier to understand and less confronting.

Why Do Children Use Echoing Speech?

Children use echoing speech for many different reasons. It is often a functional communication strategy, not meaningless repetition.

A child may echo speech to:

Process what they have heard
Buy time while thinking of a response
Attempt to answer a question
Practise new words and sentence patterns
Join an interaction or conversation
Regulate emotions when overwhelmed

In these cases, echoing speech can act as a bridge toward more independent language.

Is Echoing Speech Normal?

Yes — echoing speech can be a normal part of language development, particularly in:

Toddlers and preschool-aged children
Children with emerging language skills
Children learning new sentence structures

Many children move through a phase of echoing speech and gradually begin using their own words more flexibly as their language skills grow.

When Does Echolalia Become a Concern?

Echoing speech (echolalia) may need closer attention if:

Most communication is repetitive rather than spontaneous
The child rarely uses their own words
Understanding of language appears limited
The repetition does not change or develop over time
The child becomes frustrated during communication

In these situations, a speech pathology assessment can help determine whether echoing speech is supporting communication or limiting it.

Echoing Speech and Autism

Echolalia is commonly discussed in relation to autism, but it is important to note:

Not all children who echo speech are autistic
Echolalia in autistic children often serves a clear communicative purpose
The goal of therapy is not to eliminate echolalia, but to build flexible, meaningful communication

Modern speech therapy approaches recognise echolalia as part of a child’s communication system rather than something to suppress.

How Speech Therapy Supports Children Who Echo Speech

Speech therapy focuses on supporting communication, not stopping repetition.

At Perth Speech Therapy, support may include:

Understanding why a child is echoing speech
Modelling functional language alternatives
Supporting comprehension and language processing
Helping children move from repetition to self-generated speech
Coaching parents on how to respond at home

Therapy is play-based, child-led, and strengths-focused.

A Reassuring Message for Parents 💛

If your child is using echoing speech, it does not mean you have done anything wrong.
For many children, echoing speech is their way of making sense of language and connecting with others.

With understanding and the right support, many children progress toward confident, independent communication.

📍 Perth Speech Therapy – Alfred Cove
📞 0412 256 656

For general guidance, families can visit Speech Pathology Australia to learn more about communication development.

Link to: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

The Raising Children Network also explains how children’s communication skills develop over time.

Link to: https://raisingchildren.net.au

Location: Unit 1 595 Canning Hwy ALfred Cove

M: 0412 256 656

Echoing Speech in Children | Perth Speech Therapy