An echo is a type of disturbance in the communication process, which appears from the repetition of speech, question or commands immediately after hearing it or after a short or long time (that is, the child repeats the phrases as they are in their inappropriate position during the conversation).
When do children get such a condition?
The condition is considered normal (imitation skill) and inherent in the child’s development during the first years. Repetition helps the child to store vocabulary to use it in its appropriate position and position, but if it continues after the first 3 years, it needs treatment and a speech pathologist.
What are the causes of the phenomenon of antagonism?
There are many reasons for this problem, including:
- Having autism spectrum disorder
- Having a nervous disorder
- The presence of dispersion and poor concentration
- Having a mental retardation
Explanation of its occurrence:
There is a difference from one case to another in the interpretation of the occurrence of hesitation, some children:
Poor comprehension in some children due to a delay in the acquired language
Poor attention and concentration and the child’s dispersal in the home environment
Poor social communication, which may be due to television, telephone, etc.
Use a wrong training pattern based on the stimulus and response only, meaning accustoming the child to the verbal response only once he hears the verbal command to answer even if it is wrong.
Improper handling of the child (such as using violence and bullying)
What is the impact of Echolalia on the life of the child?
It is natural that a number of problems appear in children suffering from echolalia, due to the difficulty in communicating with others and their lack of understanding of the speech directed at them, which hinders their acquisition of many concepts and experiences and makes them socially difficult (participation of their peers in playing, poor ability to express a certain idea Weakness of the ability to receive information.
When should intervention and resort to specialists?
If the child exceeds 3 years and the phenomenon of direct repetition continues without understanding, he calls for a speech and language therapist.
What is the role of the parents at this stage?
Parents should monitor their child and the way he communicates with others, and refer to specialists in case the condition persists after 3 years.
What is the importance of early detection in treating a child?
Early detection greatly helps in treating the child, because he is in the stage of acquiring language and communication, and the younger the child is, the faster his response and the more control we can control his problem.
How long does the treatment last?
We cannot determine this. The child’s condition and the extent of his response to the therapist and the follow-up of the parents greatly affect the treatment.