"Yes...I heard you - PIZZA???"

Echolalia Meets Expression in the Hallways of High School.

As I myself had begun my journey of learning about Autism and meeting people who were diagnosed with the condition, I was more than excited to learn that I would be attending the Autism Asperger's Chicago Superconference in the Spring of 2004 as an ambassador from the High School I was teaching at. I had taken a deep interest in the work and writings of Temple Grandin - who was slated to be the keynote Speaker at the event. I was fascinated by her book, Animals in Translation, and full of questions upon learning that I may actually be able to meet this true sage in person! I thought deeply about what I might try to learn from a genuine expert on the subject - regarding a topic where answers appeared scarce.

A student I had been working with extensively during the school day, Abdirizak, who happened to be from Ethiopia, was diagnosed with Autism. His condition featured a characteristic I had never encountered before. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), echolalia is classified under Criterion A for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as an example of "stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech". It involves repeating words, sounds, or phrases spoken by others. Abdirizak had 2 (two) statements which he made more often than any other throughout the school day. One seemed to involve affirmation and positivity, the other, evidently a favorite food...

Abdirizak would qualify almost everything I said with the statement, "Good Job". This was often accompanied by a firm, almost business-like handshake. It was my hypothesis that the repeated phrase was praise given to him in his past - more than once, by a select group of influential people within his nucleus. I must've been informed that I had done a good job an infinite amount of times during our time together. A smile and an uplifting glance were also parcel to this message, and the utterance alone left a nebula of positive energy in it's wake.

"Good job!"

The second statement had a somewhat different dimension. Without much education under my belt at this point in the realm of Neurodivergence, I hypothesized that at some point, Abdirizak had infuriated someone in his circle with endless requests for his favorite food, who had then replied in anguish, "Yes! I heard you! Pizza!" - which had then been internalized and began to form the basis for most interactions with other staff and some fellow students sans the exclamation points. Pizza was on the school lunch menu, after all, and was always sought after. I didn't really believe my own theory, and decided I had found my question! Dr Grandin would know what this edict represented, I was certain.

The event was like a beehive buzzing with energy from a hive of synapses. Neurologists spoke with confidence about Autism and Asperger's. Everyone hushed and listened carefully over their meal as Dr Grandin spoke to a packed crowd at what was then known as the Rosemont Horizon, in Chicago, Illinois. Listeners were enchanted and respectful. Afterwards, Dr Grandin was gracious enough to meet her fans, and many of us lined up, waiting our turn to meet this living legend and supreme protector of bovine.

After a rushed explanation of the context involved, I shared the phrase with one of my heroes. Dr Grandin looked genuinely perplexed. With her signature Southern twang, and wearing her sequined, blue denim, button-up shirt, she looked at me and said, "Yes, I heard you, Pizza???" I can still hear it ringing in my ears to this day. Dr Grandin led me in the direction of understanding repetitive phrases, recommending I learn more about echolalia. Indeed, even today, I often wonder about that special interaction - it was certainly an honor to hear her speak and meet her afterwards, but you can only imagine that I had no choice but to mention a phrase that had been embedded into my soul at that point and seek resolution!

"There are tangible measures of cattle happiness, such as how often they moo." ~ Temple Grandin

*Photo and quote from: Ostrander, M. (2011, March, 28). Temple Grandin on Thinking Like a Cow. Yes! The Animals Issue.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me at jeff.rumbaugh@thetranslation-bc.com. Thanks for tuning in and stay REAL!! Jeff 🫶🏼

"Sometimes all it takes is a good translator."