Data analysis of response interruption and redirection as a treatment for vocal stereotypy.

Ohan et al. (2015) taught three children with autism to name, or "tact," items instead of repeating old phrases. The team used a multiple-baseline design across kids. Sessions kept going until each child used new tacts and dropped delayed echolalia.

Tact training cut delayed echolalia for all three children. It also lifted correct tacts. Gains stayed strong seven weeks later with no extra teaching.

Gibney et al. (2020) ran a near copy of this work and saw the same drop in vocal stereotypy. Their classroom setting shows the effect travels beyond clinic rooms.

Bergmann et al. (2023) and Hanney et al. (2019) also used tact drills, but for naming sounds. All studies show positive gains, giving you a menu of tact targets: echolalia, sounds, or even textures as in Ruffo et al. (2025).

Pierce et al. (1983) taught echolalic children with signs plus words. Their total-communication win came first, yet L et al. prove vocal-only tact drills still work. The two papers differ in method, not in aim.

If a child keeps quoting old lines, try brief tact lessons on favorite toys or snacks. The study says you can swap delayed echoes for real labels in weeks, and the skill sticks. Start small, track daily, and watch functional language grow.