A word cloud with 'words' in bold.

Echolalia

Easy Read

Saying words again

A boy with headphones repeating a song with a green repeating sigh.

Echolalia means repeating words.

TV with a young man on, on top of a wooden unit.

The words might come from the TV.

A woman with a microphone and notes around her singing.

The words might be from a song or someone else.

People with neurodivergent symbols in a circle.

Some autistic people use echolalia.

Some people with learning disabilities also use echolalia.

A girl with a pink top and her mother talking.

Anyone can use echolalia.

People with speech bubbles above them and two people shaking hands.

It is another way to talk.

Two people talking with speech bubbles doing a survey.

There are two kinds of echolalia.

A very young girl playing with a toy phone.

Immediate echolalia is when you say words right after you hear them.

For example, if a phone rings, you might say “ring ring“.

A list of days of the week.

Delayed echolalia is saying words or phrases you heard before.

It can happen hours, days, or even weeks later.

A man in a wheelchair asking a question of another man.

Echolalia can be helpful.

It can help you ask for things.

Emojis showing different emotions and reactions.

It can help you say how you feel.

A woman in green with a green smiley emoji, looking happy with a thumbs up.

Saying the words can feel nice.

A girl using AAC symbols in her communication aid.

We all talk in different ways.

Female doctor in green dress.

If you are worried about your health or talking, speak to a doctor or health visitor.

This Easy Read was created in June 2026

Review date: June 2029

About this Easy Read library

The Easy Read Library was created by Growing Different. Each guide is designed using clear language, simple layouts, and photo symbols to support understanding. We develop it with the families that will use it.

The symbols used are from Photosymbols and are included under licence.

If you reuse, copy or share our Easy Read materials, please note the following:

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We follow the Easy Read Standard 2026, developed by Photosymbols.

© Growing Different 2026

Reference

Photosymbols Ltd (2026) The Easy Read Standard: An Evidence-Based Framework for Accessible Information. Version 1.0. January 2026. Developed by Photosymbols Ltd

Photo symbols license number
Photosymbols Credit 2

A note on our information

This site gives general information, not medical advice. We share information and resources, but we can’t offer individual or one-to-one support. Always check with a professional before making decisions about your child.

Disclaimer

The content on this website is provided for general information only. It should not be construed as medical advice, and it is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. Before making any decisions based on the content of this website you are strongly advised to obtain professional or specialist advice.

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Supported by

This project has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the CPCA (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority), delivered through Allia Impact Ltd.