Open AccessImmediate echolalia and the interactive behaviour of autistic children
Author(s) -
Ingrid Van Zyl,
Erna Alant,
I. C. Uys
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
south african journal of communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.296
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2225-4765
pISSN - 0379-8046
DOI - 10.4102/sajcd.v32i1.330
Subject(s) - psychology , repetition (rhetorical device) , developmental psychology , facilitation , categorical variable , cognitive psychology , linguistics , computer science , philosophy , machine learning , neuroscience
This research examined whether echolalia and interactive behaviour in autistic children could function within a communicative system. Four autistic children were videotaped individually in interaction with a familiar adult. A categorical system was designed whereby the children's interactive behaviour could be rated. It was found that the immediate echolalia is far more than a meaningless repetition of words. The utterances are relevant, displaying the conveyance of meaningful information and the maintenance of social interaction. Conclusions were drawn on the facilitation of communication through modification and expansion of immediate echolalia.