Date of Award

5-3-2001

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Irene Carlyle

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to explore the possible communicative functions of immediate echolalia in an autistic child. The work of the author is presented along with a review of other research done on echolalia in autistic children. However, for a truly comprehensive understanding of echolalia in autistic children, it must be examined within the context of the disorder itself. Therefore, a broad overview of autism is given first. In this overview, the characteristics of autism are discussed and a general introduction into the theories on causation is provided, along with a review of the language impairments characteristic of most autistic individuals. A review of present ideas and research focusing on echolalia follows. FInally, the author was interested to echolalia was used by the child as a communication device, or if it was used ‘solely for the sensory stimulation inherent in the behavior rather than for communicative purposes’ (Wetherby, 1986, p.297). Finally, the author offers ideas echolalia research should focus next and how this research might lead to improved treatments.

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