Immediate echolalia, or the repetition of words or phrases immediately or shortly after another has spoken them, is a common characteristic of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, and can interfere with effective communication and learning (Rhode, 1999 & Schreibman & Carr, 1978). Few studies have included a functional analysis of inappropriate vocalizations, thus, additional research on an FA and treatment of immediate echolalia was warranted. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a modified FA and treatment analysis of immediate echolalia. Three individuals with an autism spectrum disorder participated. Prior to the FA, an indirect assessment was conducted with the participant’s caregivers, and the results were used to inform the conditions of the FA. A sequential pairwise FA was conducted which included three phases. During phase 1 consecutive alone with audio sessions were conducted. During phase 2, attention test and control conditions were evaluated in a multielement design. During phase 3, demand test and control conditions were evaluated using a multielement design. All sessions were 5 min. Following the FA, a treatment analysis was conducted. If echolalia was determined to be maintained by social reinforcement, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (i.e., delivery of attention or a break following appropriate communication) and extinction (i.e., no break or attention following echolalia) was evaluated. If behavior was determined to be maintained by automatic reinforcement, treatment included DRA using preferred edibles for a competing behavior. If DRA alone was ineffective, then DRA with response interruption redirection (RIRD) was evaluated.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
