Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases that a person hears, often occurring in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or certain neurological conditions. It can be immediate, where the repetition happens right after hearing the words, or delayed, occurring after a period of time. Echolalia can serve various functions, such as communication, self-regulation, or processing information. While it may seem atypical, it can also be a stepping stone to more functional language use.