Echolalia means repeating words someone has said. I don't think this is generally common in AD/HD but I could be wrong.

I do this only when I watch TV or sometimes when someone is talking to me, but not out loud and not all the time. I think it helps me stay focused on what is being said.

When I read, I often have to reread paragraphs because my mind wanders. I always thought many people did that but now it seems like it's more of an AD/HD thing.

I work with some folks who are autistic and echolalia is common with them, but haven't run into it with anyone else, or maybe I just haven't noticed.

In my experience with autism, it's definitely prevalent there. It's not as prevalent with ADHD.

However, echolalia is repetition of words. Repeating over and over again (more than just 1x).
Sounds like you're just talking to yourself, unless you repeat the words/sounds over and over.

Echolalia: a definition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echolalia) from Wiki. ADHD is not mentioned.

Echolalia means repeating words someone has said. I don't think this is generally common in AD/HD but I could be wrong.

I do this only when I watch TV or sometimes when someone is talking to me, but not out loud and not all the time. I think it helps me stay focused on what is being said.

When I read, I often have to reread paragraphs because my mind wanders. I always thought many people did that but now it seems like it's more of an AD/HD thing.

I repeat things people say to me. Like, "Chelsea, don't forget to feed the dog." I repeat "Feed the dog." This way I feel I will remember to do it. Studies, show that when people say things out loud that they are trying to remember....they have a better chance at it ;) It helps me focus too!

Verbally repeating something is an excellent way of prompting your memory. Not everyone learns the same way, however, perhaps you learn/remember best when you verbalize something, rather than just read it or hear it. Of course repeating things people say to you can be embarrassing - or you could make it part of your communication style. Many people I know will echo things back to me - for instance, I may ask for an IV tray - the nurse aide will say to me "so you need the IV tray?". I think this is a great thing, then you know your request was heard, and that they heard correctly. I don't really think that it is echolalia.

Interesting topic.

Oh man, I know what that is, my older sister does that when she gets hypomanic, I think it is called, I dunno, she has bipolar 2 disorder apparently and she used to do that when she was in that weird mood when I was younger and it drove me nuts because she would do it for weeks straight and seemed to follow me around for weeks.

I dont know if that is directly related to bipolar but being on the recieving end of it when you ask a question or just want to be left alone can be draining, especially when it goes on for a month.

It's part of tourettes, and I have it.

But I don't do it out loud. I just say it either in my head or under my breath so no one hears me.

if it's to learn, understand and remember, then it's ok.

If the echolalia is comforting, excessive and non-functional, then it's something that you should discuss with your doc because there could be something else going on.

echolalia is not just limited to people with TS or autism. It frequently occurs in people who have OCD.

Me :D

Well I got that too, I have the cluster**** tri****a diagnoses of ADHD, OCD, and Tourettes, hanging out with people is OH SO Fun!!!! no.

and it is comforting, so what? its also many other things, impulsively done, and for keeping things in my head as well, learning I spose, depends... sometimes its all the above.. ah i dont want to think about this!

I hate to bring it up, but echolalia is something that is common in schizophrenia. I have seen (heard) it many times in people who have mental illness.

It is very rarely that I do this and I only use it to learn, understand, and remember. In a nutshell, to concentrate on the message. I only do it about a handful of times in a year.

I was curious about it, that's all. I am by no means mentally ill. I used to see a therapist and she said I had a mild case of OCD. She never brought up AD/HD, but I sometimes suspect I have it very mildly.

I was curious about it, that's all. I am by no means mentally ill. I used to see a therapist and she said I had a mild case of OCD. She never brought up AD/HD, but I sometimes suspect I have it very mildly.ADHD is mental illness because it is a disorder of the brain.

What I meant was that I am not crazy.

What I meant was that I am not crazy.Not crazy about what?

Echolalia means repeating words someone has said. I don't think this is generally common in AD/HD but I could be wrong.

I

Yup, Autism.

I have noticed that there are some people who actually have Aspergers (with or without ADHD) and they are misdx for a long time with just ADHD. I have seen this a few times in the school setting.

Not saying you have Aspergers or anything. Perhaps what you have done is gained a skill that helps you with memory. You may have been doing this for such a long time, you forget why you are doing it?? Maybe?? That is actually a good skill to have. I wish I did that more with names. It would probably help me remember.

You are right, imnapl. My mistake, ADHD and OCD are mental illnesses. I just don't want anyone thinking that I am some crazy person or something, know what I mean. As I've said, I rarely ever do this echolalia thing. I just wanted to see if anyone else has ever done this. And as I have said, I don't do this out loud just to myself because it helps me concentrate on what's being said.

You are right. My mistake, ADHD and OCD are mental illnesses. I just don't want anyone thinking that I am some crazy person or something, know what I mean. As I've said, I rarely ever do this echolalia thing. I just wanted to see if anyone else has ever done this. And as I have said, I don't do this out loud just to myself because it helps me concentrate on what's being said.

I don't think it's any more appropriate to refer to someone with a serious mental illness as "crazy" than to someone with ADHD or OCD, and usually just as ignorant, as well as hurtful (though I don't think this was your intention).

It is not my intention to be offensive. I do apologize if it came across that way. Peace.

I forgot to say Thank You for all of your replies. I appreciate your input.