I don't know how many times I've heard people relate talking to a child with echolalia to the routine done by Abbott and Costello. It's just talking in circles most of the time. But you keep trying.
Two days ago Brian and I were hanging out in the waiting room of our therapists' building. It was Corbin's turn for speech therapy. While we were there a speech student who is interning with our therapist came out. She had met Brian the week before and she knelt down to talk to him.
E: "Hi Brian!"
Brian: "Hi Brian!"
E: "How are you?"
Brian" "How are you?"
E: "Are you good?"
Brian: "Good!"
E: "Is it raining outside?"
Brian: "Yes!"
Then he walked away.
I've been seeing a lot of this lately. Answer a few questions with echolalia and then just on the spot come out with the right answer to a question. Granted those questions are usually of the yes/no variety- but better than nothing!
For a few months this has been my focus at home. Getting him to answer simple questions about himself with no echolalia. I ask him the same questions everyday and I made a book with pictures of him that we read a lot but no luck yet. I decided to try this morning as he woke up early and he's pretty mellow.
Me: "What's your name?"
Brian: "What's your name?"
Me: "Say Brian"
Brian: "Brian"
Me: "What's your name? Say Brian"
Brian: "Brian"
Me: "What's your name?"
Brian: "Me!"
The "Me" answer is a new one but he has been using it regularly with the "What's your name" question. At least it's not echolalic. And he understands I'm asking about him? I think....
When this echolalia stuff bothers me- I just think back to a time not so long ago when he wasn't talking at all. At least I get to hear his voice now.
