Behavior analysis has a long and complicated relationship with echolalic behavior. For decades, the dominant clinical approach classified delayed echolalia as a form of stereotypy, automatically reinforced, nonfunctional, and frequently targeted for reduction.
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Join Free →Communication is the doorway to the world; each person and culture has uniquely defined language to communicate various concepts, inclusive of direct and indirect constructs (e.g., metaphor, slang, colloquialisms). In the neurotypical world, indirect constructs are commonplace, whereas in neurodivergent behavior, they are often deemed problematic. Delayed echolalia (DE) is defined as repeated speech/sounds with delay from the original environmental event (e.g., media, conversations, self-talk). Behavior analysis (BA) mostly discounts or discards DE as automatically-reinforced non-specific stereotypy; however, the speech, language, and hearing (SLH) field holds extensive research exploring the multi-functionality, use (language expansion), and individuality of specific types of vocal-stereotypic behavior. Verbal behavior being a primary foundation of BA, practitioners and researchers should seek out advanced education through a translational approach to provide uniquely individualized services within this focus. A translational systematic literature review on DE between the fields of BA and SLH identified 58 total empirical studies, 19 (33%) of which were from BA publications. Only one BA article directly analyzed function, and most focused on elimination procedures. Primary themes included focus type (echolalic terminology) and methods (e.g., function, use, and treatment) comparatively across BA/SLH fields. Discussion reviewed SLH framework and methods adaptable to BA practice/research as a pre-communication tool for expanding functional language, and ongoing limitations within BA research perpetuating stigmatization of the field from its primarily supported neurodivergent community. Future research including function- and strengths-based treatment, and neurodivergent inclusivity in research and application, were discussed. Keywords: delayed echolalia, scripted language, functional communication, behavior analysis
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
| COA | 1 | — |
Faith has been a BCBA since 2019, and in the field of ABA since 2017, with published research on caregiver training via telehealth (prior to COVID-19), behavioral patterns of public figures, and current dissertation research in progress on identification and instruction of ADHD traits through doctoral studies in ABA at TCS. In behavior analytic (BA) research, Faith's passions lie within emerging topics and pathways for how BA can be applied to a broad range of topics and contexts, as well as the value of translational research and collaborative practice. Faith is a strong advocate for neuro-affirming ABA, focusing on person-centering/elevating language and practices that help identify each person's uniquely awesome ways of viewing and processing the world around them. She loves supervising and consulting with new BCBAs or BCBA students, working directly with caregivers and their children, and providing accessible content from BA/ABA to those both in and out of the field. Her philosophies and teaching style embrace the concept of “if we're not having fun, they're not having fun - and we all learn better when we're having fun!” Faith is also a Mom-Solo to an awesome teen, 3 cats, and a giant floofy dog, has a band with her daughter and friends that plays music regularly, and has been known to dress up as a princess and sing songs to her clients for special occasions. She's set to complete her PhD in ABA in Fall of 2025, following defense of her current dissertation, and has exciting ideas for new directions in BA!
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
200 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.