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AUTISM GLOSSARY
Echopraxia
DEFINITION
Echopraxia is the involuntary imitation of another person's movements or gestures. Like echolalia with speech, echopraxia involves mimicking physical actions, sometimes immediately and sometimes with delay.
WHY IT MATTERS
Echopraxia, when present, reflects the same underlying processing pattern as echolalia. Understanding it as a feature of neurological processing rather than mockery or defiance changes how it is managed.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Echopraxia is not intentional mimicry or teasing. It is a neurological phenomenon. Responding with frustration or discipline is unlikely to help.