Many children who are blind speak in a way called âEcholalia.â It basically means that their language is repetitive or âechoesâ something they have heard. Usually it’s an immediate repeat, which is often true with Eddie, but I think of it as broader than that. Words and phrases can be learned from television, songs, or even from other people. It often is thought to be without meaning, and when it comes to my son sounds like complete nonsense at times.
His favorite time to echo phrases is when he finds himself really upset. Terms that come often are âYo Gabba Gabba!â âWho lives in a Pineapple under the sea!!!â and Iâm sure youâve caught on to the theme here of random television one-liners. Lately, heâs added another surprising term. When upset, his teacher of the visually impaired has started hearing âIâm bringing sexy back!â Which she quickly replies, âOh, no, youâre not,â as he throws a giant tantrum. Although I love Justin Timberlake and his music, Iâm not sure this was his intention.
What I’m learning is that sometimes there is a glimpse of understanding in those crazy terms. He picked up the phrase, âI donât care,â which sounds like it came straight from the mouth of my 11-year-old daughter. Recently, he spoke that phrase loudly and with perfect articulation in the middle of quiet prayer time at church. Although Iâm sure he really felt the words, âI donât care,â when I asked him to be quiet…I wish he wouldâve kept it to himself.
Along with echoing words, he also echoes whole conversations. This morning while walking him to school, we had a long discussion about what heâd do after school. I say âweâ but it was really Eddie conversing with himself. It sounded much like this:
âAfter school, then Barney. No, no Barney. OK, no Barney. How about…Grease. Grease, OK! Grease, and have a snack? OK! Grease, have a snack, and go downstairs? Yes, OK!â
After having that fantastic one-person discussion, he stopped in his tracks. He then said, âSchool? No. No, school. OK. No school.â Which, I replied, âSchool first, then Grease, snack, and go downstairs.â Which of course he replied, âYo Gabba Gabba!!!â
Although his language barriers are frustrating at times, you canât help but appreciate the humor. Among the gibberish are some coherent thoughts bubbling to the surface. Frankly, I love his language, and the pattern of his thought. My goal isnât to make him any differentâŚbut to make him more understandable to the world at large.
As Eddie gains more expressive language, I want him to share that with everyone. His language antics may make sense to those who love himâŚbut they shouldnât be kept from everyone else. I hope to work on helping him find more functional ways to communicate while keeping his humor and personality intact. Honestly, Iâm always up for a little Justin TimberlakeâŚand it sounds like Eddie is, too.