Re-Run | Why Do I Repeat That? Autism and The Hidden Language of Echolalia

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Neurodivergent Experience

Episode: "Re-Run | Why Do I Repeat That? Autism and The Hidden Language of Echolalia"

Hosts: Jordan James, Simon Scott
Guest: Ashley Bentley (Hypnotherapist, Coach, Breathwork Practitioner)
Original Release: January 9, 2026

---

Main Theme

This lively and deeply personal episode dives into echolalia—the “hidden language” of repetition often found in autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. Through humor, anecdotes, and insightful discussions, hosts Jordan and Simon, joined by regular contributor Ashley Bentley, explore why echolalia occurs, how it functions as both communication and comfort, and its role in shaping relationships and unmasking neurodivergent identity.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

---

1. Introduction: The Power of Repetition

• The hosts celebrate rising listenership and welcome a global audience.
• Jordan reveals his struggles with spending habits—a segue to introducing Ashley Bentley, their resident therapist.
• Tone: Playful, friendly, and very “in the room” with the listener.

---

2. Defining Echolalia (07:39)

• Jordan clearly defines echolalia as:

  “The repetition of words or phrases spoken by someone else. It's a normal part of language development in young children as they learn to communicate. So everybody does this…”
  (07:39, Jordan James)

• Points made:
  • All humans experience echolalia in early childhood, but autistic/neurodivergent people often continue it through adulthood.
  • Discuss “synaptic pruning” as a neurological reason why echolalia may persist for ND people.
  • Two types: Immediate (echoing right after hearing) and Delayed (echoing much later, sometimes days or years).

---

3. Personal Examples & Favorite Phrases (11:21)

• Simon expounds on his arsenal of echolalia, many rooted in pop and internet culture:
  • Vine references: “It's Wednesday, my dude,” “free shavakadu,” “yeah,” “water malone,” etc.
  • Mimicking music, pop icons, and comedians, especially in moments of social tension or excitement.
  • Mimicry is so ingrained he sometimes doesn’t notice:

    “It comes out before I've even registered it.” (13:21, Simon Scott)

• Ashley shares hers:
  • Tina Turner’s “We’re gonna take it nice and easy” for self-soothing.
  • Old academic catchphrases: “Precisely!” from a beloved professor.
  • Eddie Izzard, Monty Python, and even self-invented pet voices.
  • Explains how some phrases link to cherished memories and serve as comfort or “auditory stims.”
• Jordan and family routinely quote Monty Python, South Park, and The Mighty Boosh, often in chains of reference (“echolalia from echolalia from echolalia”).

---

4. Echolalia as Social Glue & Relationship Builder (23:27)

• The hosts describe how repeating shared phrases serves as unspoken bonding:
  • Call-and-response style (“mostly at night… mostly”) with partners.
  • Building inside jokes, family rituals, and even generational traditions.
• Simon:

  "It's also like an exchange of energy... very cute, but it's also like an exchange of energy, I find."
  (23:37, Simon Scott)

---

5. Media as a Source of Echolalia (28:01)

• Main sources: TV (South Park, Monty Python, Saturday Night Live), movies (Ace Ventura), viral internet videos.
• Ashley discusses “transatlantic” differences—her American references sometimes fall flat in the UK, but connect her to family back home.
• They note they often communicate in memes and GIFs, which is dubbed “digital echolalia.”

---

6. Unmasking, Masking, and Echolalia (33:42)

• Mimicry and echolalia can be both “unmasking” (authenticity, relaxation) and “masking” (copying others to fit in).
• Family discussion: Who does echolalia most? In all their households, the speakers themselves are top “repeaters.”
• The difference between being neurodivergent and using echolalia versus how neurotypicals may judge or miss the intent.

---

7. Communication, Friendship, and Emotional Expression (54:11)

• Echoed references are like a “hieroglyphic language of neurodivergence”—a shorthand for connection and safety.
• Echolalia is described as support for alexithymia (difficulty with emotional expression).
• Simon:

  “It says more than any… than it ever can… it helps my alexithymia so much.”
  (56:21, Simon Scott)

• Jordan:

  “Memes, gifs… are just digital echolalia.”
  (56:33, Jordan James)

---

8. The Flipside: When Echolalia Causes Tension (61:26)

• Some forms of echolalia can be problematic:
  • Involuntary repetition of socially sensitive or inappropriate phrases (e.g., racial slurs, edgy humor).
  • Occasional misunderstandings or embarrassment, especially in neurotypical-dominated environments.
  • Stories are shared of social awkwardness—when someone won’t “switch off” impressions or references, or when jokes fall flat.
• Caution: The three discuss how they work to be responsible with their echolalia in sensitive contexts.

---

9. Acceptance, Joy, and the Freedom of Echolalia

• The episode becomes a celebration of unashamedly embracing echolalia as a core ND experience.
• Jordan:

  “This is the most me I've ever really been… I cannot tell you how free… I'm actually stimming, you guys.”
  (53:10, Jordan James)

• Simon:

  “Do you not feel that, like, echolalia for me is like the hieroglyphic language of neurodivergence?” (54:06, Simon Scott)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jordan:

  “If you don't understand someone else's echolalia… it doesn't mean you can't be friends… But when you find your true friend, it's the person that… knows your language of repetition.”
  (54:45, Jordan James)

• Simon:

  “Echolalia is our language of friendship.”
  (54:45, Simon Scott)

• Ashley:

  “It just feels so nice… [Echolalia] also feels really nice. I think it really connects me to my relationship with [my dog] and kind of makes him feel like he's still here.”
  (19:37, Ashley Bentley)

• Simon:

  “So many ND millennials are stuck in vine.”
  (15:01, Simon Scott)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 07:39 – What is Echolalia? (definition, types, why it persists in ND people)
• 11:21 – Favorite echolalia phrases (pop-culture and family examples)
• 23:27 – Call-and-response, shared repetitive routines in partnerships
• 28:01 – TV, movies, viral culture as echolalia sources
• 33:42 – Mimicry, masking, and open ND family dynamics
• 54:06 – Memes and GIFs as “digital echolalia”; supporting alexithymia
• 61:26 – Problematic echolalia: when repetition creates awkward or distressing situations
• 53:10–56:33 – Emotional relief and identity affirmation through echolalia

---

Takeaways & Listener Value

• Echolalia is not simply a “quirky” trait but a nuanced, flexible tool for socialization, self-regulation, comfort, and humor for ND people.
• While occasionally leading to social hiccups, when embraced in safe spaces, it fosters connection, understanding, and self-acceptance.
• The episode itself is a living example: high-energy, full of real-time repetition, imitation, and laughter, affirming the joy in neurodivergent ways of being.

---

Suggested Listening Approach / For Newcomers

• This episode is especially wonderful for anyone interested in “lived experience” insights—those who are ND, parents, partners, or simply curious about neurodiversity.
• Expect a relaxed, often hilarious conversation rich with pop culture and warmth—a true “neurodivergent experience.”

---

Most-Used Echolalia (from Hosts & Guest)

• “We're gonna take it nice and easy.” (Tina Turner)
• “It's Wednesday, my dude.” (Vine meme)
• “Mostly at night… mostly.” (Aliens / South Park)
• “Creme fraiche.” (South Park)
• “Like a glove!” (Ace Ventura)
• “You're not the Messiah, you're a very naughty boy!” (Monty Python)
• “Eggs in a nest, bud.” (Ashley’s pet talk)
• “It's Water Malone inside of Water Malone.” (Vine)
• “Shut up, Meg.” (Family Guy)

---

Closing Note

The episode closes with enthusiasm and gratitude—for ND community, the freedom to be oneself, and, of course, for the quirky, wonderful “language” of echolalia.

---

[For more, subscribe and connect with The Neurodivergent Experience on your favorite platform or via their socials (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).]

---

Summary prepared by The Neurodivergent Experience Podcast Summarizer

Transcript

[Podcast Advertiser]

There are a million reasons people start therapy. A breakup, burnout, a new job, a new year. Whatever your reason, there is one place to start. Grow Therapy meets you where you are, with support that actually sticks. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists across the US all offering both virtual and in person sessions, nights and weekends. You can search by what matters like insurance, specialty, identity or availability and get started in as little as two days. And if something comes up, you can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance at no cost. There are no subscriptions, no long term commitments. You just pay per session. Grow helps you find therapy on your time. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as zero, depending on their plan. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans, including Medicaid in some states. Visit GrowTherapy.comStart now today to get started. That's GrowTherapy.comStart Now. GrowTherapy.comStart Now. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

[Narrator/Promo Voice]

How's about something nice and easy?

[Jordan James]

Welcome to the neurodivergent Experience Podcast. A podcast where we share the lived experiences of neurodivergent people to help create a better understanding for our community.

[Simon Scott]

Join us every week as we bring you honest, raw and inspiring conversations with specialists, advocates and individuals who know exactly what it's like to live the neurodivergent experience.

[Jordan James]

I'm Jordan James, a neurodivergent specialist, father of neurodivergent children, husband to a neurodivergent wife, and author of the Autistic Experience. And I'm joined by my best friend.

[Simon Scott]

I'm Simon Scott. I'm an autistic ADHD broadcaster, actor and advocate. Join us as we journey into unraveling the neurodivergent experience.

[Jordan James]

And hello. Hello. Welcome back. Welcome back to the neurodivergent Experience. Scotty, my best buddy.

[Simon Scott]

Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.

[Jordan James]

How are you doing this? Had any. You had any good news?

[Simon Scott]

Have I had any good news? Well, my car's being serviced and they've just sent me the receipts, so no, not good. Apparently I need new. New. New. New brakes. That's a bit shitting. Is it? But I tell you what, my friend. Hello to people that are listening. If this is your first time listening. Welcome, welcome, welcome. If you're back, where the hell have you been? And we want to thank you because we have had an unbelievable week at this podcast this week.

[Jordan James]

Yeah. So what did we do this week?

[Simon Scott]

What did we do this week? Very good question. We have been celebrating the fact that we've had more downloads than we've ever had. Our listenership has gone up by 50%. We had our biggest ever day of downloads for a release of an episode, and also Jordan's away or pre occupado for the next week. So that means we've had to record lots of episodes this week. So when he was like, what have you done this week? I might record a shitload of episodes with you. That's what I've done this week.

[Jordan James]

Yeah, we've. We've been hanging out. We've been seeing more of each other than we've been seeing of our partners, which is great because, you know, but yeah, it's.

[Simon Scott]

What?

[Jordan James]

Wow. Like, seriously? 50. And by the way, this is like, two weeks ago now when people are listening. 50. Increase, increase, increase, increase.

[Simon Scott]

Either or.

[Jordan James]

50. Increase in. In listenership. Viewership. Because it's viewership. Listeners.

[Simon Scott]

Listenership. Yeah, yeah.

[Jordan James]

I'm making up words now.

[Simon Scott]

That's fine.

[Jordan James]

Listen, a boat.

[Simon Scott]

RFK does the same. It's apparently, it's fine. So, yeah, it's been crazy. I mean, it wasn't that we didn't have a big listenership already. You know, we do, and we really appreciate everybody listening, but, you know, we've now had an unfathomable amount of people from the US Start to tune into us. So. Howdy, cousins. Welcome. Hope you enjoy the show and you stick around and you keep with us. You know, we're trying to tailor some new things. The Hot Topic is now out, so you won't hear it in today's episode. You will hear it tomorrow if you're listening on the day it comes out. And if you're catching up in. In months time. Where the hell have you been? Go back and check it out. So that's what we've been doing this week. It's been halcyon. It's been mad. I've had a real old head rush. Looking at these numbers. I feel like we've struck gold, my friend. I feel like we're really starting to hit our groove. So thank you for being with us. If you've been with us from the very beginning, and if you've just joined us, we still love you. Thank you. Please hang around and let's see where this party takes us.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yeah.

[Jordan James]

Thank you to the dedicated listeners. We love you and appreciate the day. That is not an invite to come around my house. So stop it.

[Simon Scott]

I'll post his address in the show notes. If he.

[Jordan James]

Oh, God, yeah. If you see me around Horsham, say hi.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. And if you see me in Merseyside, it's not me. Yeah.

[Jordan James]

Leave him alone. Run away.

[Simon Scott]

Run away. It's not me. It's not me. Run away. Well, other than this week, shall we introduce our wonderful guest today?

[Jordan James]

No, not yet. I want to tell you about what I bought. I bought a new controller for the Switch 2. Apparently it's the greatest controller that's ever been made, not just for the Switch 2, but just in general. So I immediately pre ordered it and then a pair of Yannis Freaks trainers went on sale and Nike was like, here, have £20 off. And I was like, thank you, Nike. And they were already cheap. It was 125 pound reduced to 67 pound and I bought those as well. And then I've just had an entire week of actually just going, oh, I've, I've, I've got to fix this. I've got to fix this. So I am booking a session with Ashley to fix this because it is, it is actually at the point where I'm actually, it's, it's not. I mean, I'm laughing but it's just not funny anymore because it is actually just getting ridiculous. I bought six pairs of trainers and I literally said to myself, I'm not buying any pairs of trainers this year and I've bought six and it is just getting ridiculous. So I did sell two, so I don't know how that evens it out.

[Simon Scott]

Does it even it out?

[Jordan James]

Yeah. So I'm booking a session with Ashley and talking about Ashley.

[Ashley Bentley]

Hello, hello, hello.

[Simon Scott]

Welcome back. Thank you. Very, very nice to have you back. If you're wondering who this voice is, this is our resident in house therapist. This is Ashley Bentley, hypnotherapist, coach, breathwork practitioner all round, extraordinaire from integrative coaching, breath work and hypnotherapy. Thank you so much for coming back with us, Ashley. We've missed your voice and your presence on this show and if you haven't listened to Ashley's episodes, please go do so. They're brilliant and it's why we have her back every month or so. So do it now. Yes. Don't. Well, actually listen to this one. Come. You just said, you, you, you hit a great point there because today we're talking about a fabulous little subject. But as you went do it, my brain Went, do it, do it now. So what are we talking about today, Jordan?

[Jordan James]

Echolalia. Echolalia. Okay, so I'm gonna. As a, as a neurodivergent specialist myself, I will explain to you. I don't know whose voice that is. I will explain to you what echolalia is. Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases spoken by someone else. It's a normal part of language development in young children as they learn to communicate. So everybody does this. While common in typical development, it's also frequently observed in autistic individuals even into adulthood in big brackets because of the lack of synaptic pooning and that pruning happens at the age of 2, 3 years old, you know, just about the same time as we get vaccines. Isn't that weird? So that's synaptic pruning is supposed to happen. It's meant to happen. It's always going to happen. It's a part of our development as autistic, adhd, neurodivergent people. And this shows it because that part that synaptic pruning didn't doesn't take place for us. So that's why we have echolalia as adults because all. Every human has echolalia from when there are toddler. Which is why we still have it.

[Simon Scott]

Because that must be why we. We learn to talk then obviously this.

[Jordan James]

Is how we learn.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jordan James]

So babies learn to talk like this and then we continue to learn to talk like this because of what, you know, people that call developmental delays. But I actually just call it being cool and sexy. Yeah, cool.

[Simon Scott]

And the official term that's in the DSM 6 surely.

[Jordan James]

Yeah, cool, cool. Devilishly handsome. Okay, anyway, enough talking about Scotty.

[Ashley Bentley]

Thank you.

[Jordan James]

Types of echolalia can be immediate, like repeating what someone just said or delayed. So repeating phrases or sounds at a later time, which is what I tend to do. So I know people that have. That do both. But I think that most of. Would you agree that all of us are pretty much the later on phrase or. Ashley, just a quick question. Do you repeat it stuff back really like straight away?

[Ashley Bentley]

It probably is mostly the other way doing it afterwards. But occasionally I'll catch myself doing it.

[Jordan James]

Right away because I feel like that again that separate synaptic pathways of learning. And it's possible that those synaptic pathways were pruned. Whereas some people. So I was watching this quick story. I was watching a football game with my friend and his son. His son. Literally every time I said something I like oh, bloody referee. Yeah. Bloody referee. Because he's never watched football before. So he was just literally immediately copying. And it reminds me of that scene in the IT crowd where they have that. Where they're in the pub.

[Simon Scott]

Ludicrous display last night.

[Jordan James]

They're just copying this app. There's like, yeah, how to speak to football fans app. It's. It's definitely. It feels very different to what we do, but at the same time, it's all echolalia. So, yeah, echolalia doesn't usually go beyond three years, but it does for us because of the aforementioned pruning. My favorite example. And if anybody doesn't really understand what echolalia is or say, oh, I don't do echolalia, think Bumblebee in Transformers.

[Simon Scott]

Perfect. What a great example that is.

[Jordan James]

His entire communication is echolalia because he's using words and phrases that were used previously on radio stations or, you know, whatever he's listening to, whatever like that. And I'm like, it's. That's literally how it is for most of us. But obviously there's occasionally there's a few words in between. So our first point of discussion this week is our regular and favorite echolalia phrases used by us and our loved ones. So, Scotty, let's. Let's start with you. Got any?

[Simon Scott]

Got any? Got a few. Well, I have some particular ones that seem to override most, but we'll discuss where a lot of mine come from. Right, okay. So I am still grieving this app. This used to be such a spin for me. It used to be such a glimmer. Very much an escapism thing. About 10, 12, 13 years ago, there was an app that was developed that was called vine, and essentially it's a precursor to TikTok. So it used to be seven second videos where Joe Public would be comedic and create funny sort of sketches. Now, my generation, it's almost like you can spot an ND echolalia happening because somebody's referencing one of these vines. And depending on which ND person you speak to, they have their favorites and I have mine, and they're all a bit crazy. It's like there's one particular one where somebody would be, like, dressed up as Spider man with goggles on, and he'd just go, it's Wednesday, my dude. That is stuck in my language. It's like somebody asked me, what day is it? I just go, it's Wednesday, my dude. And it will just boom. It comes out before I've even registered it. Another one is a lady pulling up to a sign that says fresh avocado, but it's spelled F R E space sh Avocado. And she pulls up and she goes, you better get down to Taco Bell for free Shavakadu. Stuck in my head every time I see an avocado, and I'm like, free Shavakadu. And it just straight out. I have absolutely no control over it whatsoever. There's another one, no control thing. A kid gets hit in the head with a basketball. He no sells it and turns to the camera and just goes, yeah, that is one of my worst ones. Because rather than saying, yeah, I'll just go, yeah, and I have to go, oh. Oh, that sounds absolutely, ridiculously silly altogether. And there are so many that come from, like, Vine. There's one where there's, like, a bowl of watermelon that's got bits of watermelon in it. Guy goes, it's watermelon inside of watermelon. I can't say watermelon anymore. I just go, water Malone. It comes out and I sound ridiculous, but it's true. And so many nd millennials are stuck in vine. Absolutely stuck in vine. There's so many. Carys has one where there's a lady, where she goes to a daughter, goes, I spilled lipstick in your white bag. And she goes, my Valentino white bag. And Caris will just randomly go around the house, just casually. Yeah. There's like, her favorite one at the moment. She's a big special interest is pop music. She loves, like, pop artists. Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Chapel Roan. Sabrina Carpenter. Huge, huge pop star. Right. And she has a very big song. Huge Number one song, Grammy winning song called Espresso. And the lyrics are thinking about me every night. Oh, that's that me, Espresso. That's the melody. But what Carys will do is she'll just go, thinking about me every night. Oh, and that's it.

[Jordan James]

Does that drive you insane?

[Simon Scott]

It's mental. Absolutely.

[Jordan James]

You need to finish the song, otherwise my brain will sheldon explode.

[Simon Scott]

Yep, yep, yep. And then there's another song that she does that's called Juno. And randomly, it's like talking about, like, sex positions. And she just goes in the song randomly. Have you ever tried this one? Carys will walk into the room, say, and just leave. Like, she will just walk into the room and just, like, do something that she's not normally done before. Like, she'll put the washing up and she'll just go, have you ever tried this one? And then she's just like, she doesn't even realize she's doing it, which is what's brilliant. And all of these, like, sort of things. It's like musical. Come in. And it's like earlier you mentioned that. I'll do it now and instantly do it. Come on. Just come straight out of my brain. I just feel like even Lee Evans as well. It's like whenever I say off, I don't go, oh, fuck off. Go, oh, fuck off. Like, it's just like I'm just such a mimic, an absolute mimic. So, Ashley, come on. What are some of yours?

[Ashley Bentley]

I am. Okay. I think one of yours is now going to be a new one for me. The free Shavicado thing.

[Simon Scott]

I'll send you. I'll put the links in this episode. I'll put all the echolalia links in.

[Sponsor Voice]

You're welcome.

[Ashley Bentley]

That is. And it reminds me of one that I do. But now I sort of came up with my own. I sort of copied. It was something that. I saw that similar to that, it was a meme making fun of a sign that the sign was supposed to say Sail. Sail. But how they had it up in the window. It looked like Sassalele. And so every time feels good in the mouth, doesn't it? Probably the biggest one that I do all of the time is basically I embody Tina Turner. So I saw. I never saw her live, but I saw some concert footage of her live. And I don't know if you've ever seen her do Proud Mary live at the beginning of the song. It's really slow, isn't it? It's really slow before it kicks off and goes really big. And she's at the microphone, she's like, we're gonna take a nass and easy.

[Simon Scott]

That's a great one.

[Ashley Bentley]

Because I'm constantly trying to slow myself down because I'm constantly moving too fast all the time. I am constantly saying that to myself throughout the day. We're just going to take a Nash and easy. That is a. That is a really big one of mine. I had a. I had a Professor at university, Dr. Caffeiro. Just the best professor.

[Simon Scott]

That's a great name for him. That's like a comic book professor. What does he teach? Like, Egyptian studies?

[Ashley Bentley]

He taught history.

[Jordan James]

He taught history so good. That's my favorite name now.

[Ashley Bentley]

I hated history until his class. He was so great. He would call everybody by their last name, by their surname. But also if he asked a question and you got it right, he'd walk up to you and he'd go precisely. And it was just. You just felt like you had just won the lottery. So that's another one. And probably a lot of Eddie Izzard ones as well.

[Jordan James]

Oh, my God.

[Simon Scott]

You'll still need a tray.

[Jordan James]

That's what I have so many ideas on.

[Simon Scott]

1. Do you have a flag? I say that one quite often as well.

[Jordan James]

I'm covered in bees.

[Simon Scott]

That's a good one.

[Ashley Bentley]

He's just so amazing and. But probably so it's. It's a toss up between Tina Turner and another one that I do. Actually, I. I made sure to check. I checked online to make sure that this was still part of. Of echolalia, because it's something that I used to say, so I'm sort of mimicking myself. And apparently it does fall under the category. So I'm sure we all talk to our pets in a certain voice, don't we?

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. Even if they're not my pets. I had a. I went around to a friend's house the other day, and I was like, kitty, kitty cat sat on the mat. Kitty cat, will you let me pat the kitty? And he ran off, and I just went, no one likes the kitty today. Like, I just don't know why I do it. It just. Just comes. Life's Musical, I suppose.

[Ashley Bentley]

I love it. Well, my dog sadly passed away a year ago, but I found myself. I'm still using that voice because how I used to talk to him and just randomly throughout the day, just to soothe myself, because I used to, you know, I used to say, that's it, bud.

[Podcast Advertiser]

That's it. You got it. You got it.

[Ashley Bentley]

That's it. That's it. And I will do that to sort of encourage myself. And it's. It's an auditory stim. But it also feels really nice. I think it really connects me to my relationship with him, and it kind of makes him feel like he's still here.

[Jordan James]

Does your boyfriend ever go, is she talking to me? Am I the good boy?

[Simon Scott]

I'm the good boy. This was something that. I'm glad you've brought up, Jordan, actually, because I was gonna ask you this. Ashley, do you find when you're in unmasked spaces that you seem to almost like, just exclusively talk in, like, echolalia? Because I do.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yeah. Oh, my God. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah. My partner and I are continually just. Yeah. Doing this back and forth with each other. And it's so much fun. It is so much fun, isn't it? It's just loads of fun.

[Simon Scott]

I saw a video the other week of a guy who's like, holds this, like, really fluffy chunky cat up, and he's like, look at the coat. Beautiful frame. So firm. Beautiful short legs. I've started doing it to Karis when she's getting dressed. I don't even realize I'm doing this. Like, wow, look at that frame. Beautiful legs. Look at the pose. And she's just like, why. Why are you doing this to me? But I do it all the time. It's like, I'll see her, like, get out of the shower, and instantly my brain will just go, wow. Which is a Vine. I'm just taking it from somewhere else. It's like, I remember there was one. When you talk about Tina Turner, right? Here's a funny one that I kind. And I don't know what happens, why you pick them up. I am one of those sorts of people. If I get drunk at home, I will just put old concerts on TV and I'll watch, like, shows I've been to and stuff. And YouTube was doing that thing where it just randomizes. And a random video of Shania Twain came up. She sat on a. On a little stall. The music plays, and as soon as the beat kicks in, she just goes, cool. And now that's the only way that I say cool now. It's like, carrots will tell me something really deep. I don't know what to say, and I just go, cool. So go on. Jordan, what about you? Yeah, let's hear some of yours.

[Jordan James]

Oh, well, mine. Mine aren't from people I've met or vine, and I don't even know what vine is. I'm. I'm millennial, but I'm like, old. Old.

[Simon Scott]

You're an elder millennial, aren't you? You're like, I'm an elder sage to wizards.

[Jordan James]

Wizened, decrepit millennials. Yeah. So I would say that, as I have my own ones, but I would definitely say that we tend as a family. And obviously with my kids, they've copied us. So I don't necessarily think that my kids have got these from TV shows, but obviously we've watched these TV shows with our kids. But I think that it's Sylvia and I, so we've copied each other as much as we've copied the actual TV shows. So I think the perfect example of that is that. And Sylvia and I do this like. Like, almost like a bit, but we're not trying. And anytime someone says, oh, yeah, it's. It's a. It's at night. We do it at night. And I go mostly at Night. And then Sylvia goes, mostly. And the thing is, is I'm doing it in that voice because I'm not doing it from Aliens with Newt. I'm doing it from south park, which is Cartman in the Underpants Gnomes episode.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, yeah.

[Jordan James]

They mostly come at night. And that's where I've got it from. So it's like. It's Echolalia from Echolalia. From Echolalia.

[Podcast Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Jordan James]

And then Sylvia does it, and she's never watched that. She doesn't really like south park that much. It's probably why we end up divorcing. But. But she'll. Every time I say it, she goes, mostly. But she'll do it in the Cartman voice.

[Simon Scott]

It's such a nice, like, call and response, isn't it? It's like in theater that it's chorus. It's like canon. It's. It's bouncing off of each other. And that's what I think it does.

[Jordan James]

That's what it is.

[Simon Scott]

Very cute. But it's also like an exchange of energy, I find.

[Jordan James]

It is. It is. It's. It's like a perfect partnership. And I think it kind of sums up as. As a partnership. So the other ones, we did a huge hugely from Monty Python, the Holy Grail. And obviously there's. There's. You know, he's not a. He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy. That. We got that one. I do that a lot. That. That's from Life of Brian, but I prefer Monty Py from the Holy Grail. And there's just so many. And the.

[Simon Scott]

The second time. That's one that's in there.

[Jordan James]

Yeah, yeah. It's just. But my big one is we'll call it a draw. Every single time, it's like there's an argument or something like that, and people and I go, do you know what? We'll call it a draw. And especially if I'm losing. And I go, no, call it a draw, dude.

[Simon Scott]

There's been so many times I've, like, interviewed people, like, professionally. I'm sat opposite, like, an A list celebrity, and my brain is going, what is your name? What is your quest? Genuinely, like, that's what's on the tip of my tongue. And I'm just going, like, no, we can't. Got to keep. Keep it together.

[Jordan James]

S. The other one is that, like, if I'm chatting with people and. And like, I. I'm annoyed at them, but I don't want to have a go at them. I go, your mother was a hamster. And your f smells of elderberries. I ft in your general direction. And they'll look at me, especially if they've never seen it. And they'll go, monty Pyron hy, girl. They go, ain't seen it, mate. And I go, well, you and who else you rode in on the other one for? Because I also think it's quite cute is in. In our house, the big one is Mighty Bush. I'm old Greg. And it. It's just. It's. It's throughout.

[Simon Scott]

Ever drunk Bailey's from a shoe.

[Jordan James]

It's throughout. There's another one, but it's throughout. And it's generational. I swear my grandkids will be like, about Greg. I swear my granddad name won't be Granddad. It'll be, oh, Greg. I will literally be, hi, old Greg. And I'll be like, I'm old Greg. And they'll be like, show us your mangina. And it's just old Greg from Mighty Bush is literally the, like, the one of the main ones in our house. And the other one, it's a really obscure poker. I don't know if a lot of people have seen it. It's poem called this is Jintsy.

[Simon Scott]

I knew you were gonna say this.

[Jordan James]

Two seasons of it. And, and there's quite a few in there that we do. But Sylvia does this thing where she goes, ow. Every time she'll. If. If she's like looking at me and she's attracted to me, like I'm wearing a nice top. And she'. Oh, arbiter maven.

[Simon Scott]

I knew it was the.

[Jordan James]

And the, the other one that we all do, every time we see a very, very small body of water, we go, oh, it's the mystery pond. And it's literally, if you YouTube search mystery pond, this is Jintsy. You will. You will have this echolalia for the rest of your life. Because it's so strange. It's basically this tiny little island that's just like, absolutely crappy. And they're like, this is our awesome. Would you call them theme park? There's an awesome theme park. And they've got. We've got log. And it's just a log. We've got the knock. And then it's like. And then they go, ah. And the mystery pond. Where does it come from? Who knows? Mystery pond. And then they do a whole bunch of other ones, including this other one where they deep dive. Where they go, oh, we've got our, like, space invader thing and the Guy goes, pew, pew. So every time I think of, like, I go, pew, pew. And then randomly, they come back and they go. And it's the mystery pond.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. And it's the realest comedy, isn't it, man? That's what gets it.

[Jordan James]

It's Monty Python comedy within it. And that's what leads to the biggest one in my life, which, you know, I'll talk about in a minute. But that is just South Park. I think everyone knows it. It's South Park.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah.

[Jordan James]

So what. What ones from TV shows that.

[Simon Scott]

That you've got TV shows? Goodness me. It's like, what's the mystery bond? Since you were sort of, like, discussing. This is Ginsey. It's a show that I also watched as well. The main thing that I remember from this is Jinsey is the. Like, the pub. So there's, like, a pub where, like, people play music. And there's one particular one where there's a dog and it goes. There was a dog that sat there and it said it wouldn't come. It sat there all evening licking on its bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum. And it's just ridiculous. But the catchy bit is it goes. And the dog went. And it's just stuck with me again. The Mighty Boosh. Every time I see a full moon and I just go, everybody look at.

[Jordan James]

The moon Everybody see the moon the.

[Simon Scott]

Moon is mine It's a milky bite. Everybody look at the moon. Ooh, you like my song? Like, you have to add the. Do you like my song? That's the keyboard. That's the key bit. I wrote it myself and that's sort of where it comes from. But I also find, as well, with, like, echolalia, it's not just the phrase, it's the accent.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Simon Scott]

It's the voice.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Simon Scott]

So it's like. It's not that I will take the phrasing of the character. It's like, I remember years ago, years and years ago, there was this YouTube, like, channel that used to take the mic and used to make sketches. They did one particular one that was like these llamas. And the llamas go, Carl. That kind of stuck with me for a bit.

[Jordan James]

Oh, my God. Carl is a mainstay in this house because I have a friend named Carl. Carl. Which is the coolest thing, because every time I go, hey, Carl.

[Simon Scott]

So there you go. But there was one particular character that that comedian did where it was like puppets advertising cereal. And the puppets. Like, it's correctly. No, it's a balance as fuck.

[Jordan James]

Breakf breakfast.

[Simon Scott]

And it's like that voice has now stuck with me. And another one as well. There was a TV show that was on sky years ago that was called Yonderland. Every single character, the main character was called Debbie and everyone called it Debbie. I have my auntie in law is, is Debbie. And every time they go, oh, Deb's here, I go, oh, debt, Deb's here. And I have to just like walk away a little bit for five minutes. So like, what about you, Ashley? Like, what's, what's your like? TV shows.

[Ashley Bentley]

Well, this is just making me think about actually when I, when I went back home to the States in December. All of these, all of these fun phrases that I say over here that come from TV shows that aren't really in the sort of in the collective knowledge over here. So it was. And I can crack my mom up with doing my imitation. So quite a few old Saturday Night Live skits that used to be popular in the sort of like in the 80s and the 90s back when Billy Crystal was on. And Dana Carvey. Dana Carvey. So this reminded me from your Cartman south park one where he was imitating somebody else. So Dana Carvey was used to dress up as Regis Philbin. And I don't think he's very known over here, but he was on sort of daytime TV in the States. Me imitating Dana Carvey imitating Regis Philbin is one of my favorite ones. And it's just. I'm out of control. I'm out of control.

[Simon Scott]

Oh yeah, I know that one.

[Ashley Bentley]

So there's that one. And then there's also Billy Crystal used to do this character called Fernando on Saturday Night Live. And he had this, he had this, this voice that said, oh, darling, you look fabulous, you look marvelous. That was his catchphrase. He was, you got to look good to feel good, darling. And let me tell you, you look marvelous. So I was able to do that with my mom all over the trip and just crack her up. And, and yeah, we would just do it back and forth and I do it over here and my partner's just like, what are you doing? He knows I've gone into character, but there's absolutely no frame of reference. So yeah, those are some fun ones.

[Simon Scott]

Before we go to a break, I'll ask, I'll throw this out to the room. In your family, who is the most sort of like echolalia? Because it's my dad. My dad is like the king of echolalia. So I'm interested to see like, you know, Jordan, like, what's sort of Sylvia Simon, like, who's, who's the most sort of outside me? Because for me, it's you. Oh, yeah. But I mean, it's me.

[Jordan James]

I mean, my house is definitely me. And I think everyone sort of, you know, like, like a planet, they just.

[Simon Scott]

Sort of navigate around you.

[Jordan James]

Navigate. Yeah, they all bit around my ukolalia, because. Yeah, I think, I think probably Sylvia, but that could be because I'm around her the most and we kind of do it together and then we sort of talk about it. But I, I, I would, I would say that it's probably Sylvia. Yeah.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. What about you, Ashley?

[Ashley Bentley]

It's definitely. So who, who is doing it most, Most of all? Yeah, it's definitely me. It's definitely me. And I think, you know, from a young age, I've, I've, I became quite good at imitating, you know, the different tones and inflections and all of that. And, and I get a kick out of it. So, yeah, it's definitely me.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. Because I, I find with, like, the mimicry, I can get an impression better by watching somebody else do the impression. It's like I impersonate the person doing the impression.

[Podcast Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Simon Scott]

And if they're really good at it, I can just, like, copy it. It's like at the moment, comedian Shane Gillis is doing Donald Trump, his Trump is better than anybody else's Trump I've seen. It's almost like conversational. He can do it for hours. And he said this particular thing where he was like, anyone can do Donald Trump. Walk into a room and say, you walked into it. And he goes, what a big room this is. I walked in, I went, wow, what a big room. And I was like, it's the inflection. He nails the inflection, like, perfectly. And as soon as you pick up on it, you can do it too.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yeah.

[Simon Scott]

But for me, oh, my God, growing up, my dad was the genie from Aladdin. Like, he would Hoover and he'd just go, I can't believe it. I'm losing to a rock. Like, he just, like, do all of these sorts of, like, he would do so much, dude. Like, so, so much. And it's like. There was another film that we watched growing up called, like, Jack Frost. It was a Michael Keaton, like, Christmas straight to VHS sort of B movie. There's a random line in it. The kid goes, but, dad. He goes, but, dad. I'm not your but dad. It's like, that's just a phrase that my dad used to pick up. But I can just think of so, so many. Like, he was like. There was times when I used to, like, play rock music and my dad would just walk into the room and he'd go, I built these cruise missiles for when them kids are playing ZZ Top. And that is directly from Live at the Met. Robin Williams. And he's just, boom, straight in. He knows it straight away and he does it all the time. It's like we were in this restaurant the other week, they had, like, these parallel handles over the steps. He instantly lifted himself up and started doing the clues. Oh, Pink Panthers Revenge parallel bars. You know, darling. Oh, the cook's not a gardener. The gardener thinks he's a chef. And my hand's on fire. And the whole sketch just emerged while we were waiting to get to our table. Like, he's just. I've never known anyone like my dad just speak pure echolalia when he's on.

[Jordan James]

Your dad is bumblebee.

[Simon Scott]

He is like, honestly, he loves. He loves south park but never watches it. And my mum will put food in front of him and he'll just go, oh, look at that, it looks delicious. He doesn't even know why he does it. He just does. And he's stuck in it. He gets in. Like, he's just stuck on the same sort of record, like, all the time. Like, it's. But it is really kind of, like, sweet to be around because it reminds me of my childhood so much. It's like I'll watch movies and then he'll, like, hear something that triggers one of his older. And it's like he just, like, boots up and it's like dad from, like, 10 years old just appears again and he's saying all the same sort of thing. So it's almost like a bit of a nostalgia trip for me sometimes when he's. Echolalia kicks in. Yeah, it's great.

[Jordan James]

Well, I've got a few more, but let's have a break and then we can carry on.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, yeah.

[Listener/Caller]

Why does every recipe I try need 18 ingredients, including a jar of something paste I'll never use again, but will sit in my fridge for nine months? I just want dinner in the oven fast. That's why I love Blue Apron's new one Pan. Assemble and Bake meals. They send you fresh ingredients that are already chopped. All you do is put it all together and bake. That's it. No chopping, no weird leftovers, just delicious. Easy to make meals. Get 20% off your first two orders with code apron20 Terms and conditions apply. Visit blueapron.com terms for more.

[Podcast Advertiser]

There are a million reasons people start therapy. A breakup, burnout, A new job, A new year. Whatever your reason, there is one place to start. Grow Therapy meets you where you are, with support that actually sticks. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent, licensed therapists across the US Offering both virtual and in person sessions, nights and weekends. You can search by what matters like insurance, specialty, identity or availability and get started in as little as two days. And if something comes up, you can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance at no cost. There are no subscriptions, no long term commitments. You just pay per session. GROW helps you find therapy on your time. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans, including Medicaid in some states. Visit growtherapy.com startnow today to get started. That's growtherapy.com startnow growtherapy.com startnow availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

[Jordan James]

It's time to slip into your slumber.

[Simon Scott]

Pouches and tighten your gruntal sacks. But before we say nightly bye, here's a short info pack Exploring the wonders.

[Narrator/Promo Voice]

Of the parish of Brownlap. Come to Brownlap, a parish like no other. Visit Grass World, the biggest expanse of grass on Gintsy, with new attraction Blade Rider.

[Ashley Bentley]

Pew Pew.

[Narrator/Promo Voice]

And if you dare, why not explore Miriam's haunted post? People say you can smell her breath on the back of your neck if you you stand too close. And what other parish can boast the incredible singing stump? Rub the ring and hear it sing. What other parish has got that? Hey, hey. Yours hasn't. Ah, the mystery pond. Yeah, a one day pass gets you into Wind World. See the waft, the gust and the bonnet blaster.

[Simon Scott]

The whisper.

[Narrator/Promo Voice]

Logland. This interactive experience allows you to adopt a log. There's a log for every taste, whatever the choice. From the skinny log ette to the right humper. And the road with its new improved corner takes you to the awe inspiring angel of the west that dominates the skyline. Built by a thousand men over a hundred days. It was quite difficult to build. It really was very difficult. I'm a mystery pond. Brown Lab. It's got everything you want and more. It's not what you thought it's a lot more than that.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, the whisper.

[Sponsor Voice]

This episode of the Neurodivergent Experience is brought to you by RTN Mental Health Solutions. With up to a five year waiting list for autism and ADHD assessments via the nhs. And that's even if you get a referral from your gp. Getting an assessment in the UK has never been harder. So if you're like me and can't wait anymore, going private may be the best option for you. RTN offers online assessments for kids aged six, right up to adults. To make it more accessible, RTN can offer payment plans up to five months. You can access their remote services from the comfort of your home anywhere in the uk. And RTN offers group and one to one counseling, a private route to access ADHD medication following the assessment and will even fight for you if your GP doesn't accept the results. So if you live in the UK and can't wait to get an assessment, go to www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com and use the discount code RTN23, making it even more affordable for all of our listeners to get an autism and ADHD assessment.

[Simon Scott]

Welcome back to the Neurodivergent Experience. We're sorry if we've given you lots of new echolalias. You're probably just like listening to this, just going, wow, wow, wow. So I'm glad that we've infected you today. That's all great fun. But what are we going to talk about next, John?

[Jordan James]

We'll stay on the same subject for now. And I, I think, I think the, the, the main one is. You mentioned it before. I mentioned it before. South Park. South park is such a huge mainstay for you and I. I don't know about you, Ashley. Yeah, okay, brilliant. Perfect. I got a nod.

[Ashley Bentley]

I will say this, I haven't watched it in ages, so I'm very far behind. I keep forgetting to make it a part of my, of my viewing. So it has been a while.

[Jordan James]

Full disclosure, this is the turtle thing all over again.

[Simon Scott]

It's not.

[Ashley Bentley]

I was telling, I was telling my partner last night about, about the turtle. The turtle incident, we'll call it.

[Jordan James]

Yeah, Turtle Gate.

[Simon Scott]

Okay. Straight out the shell. But yeah, yeah, south park is a crazy one because it's so. When it's being satirical and it's taking the piss out of something already, it's like it dials up the sort of like addictive feeling to it. Times like 20. Like it just does. It's like I will literally see a pig and I'll Just go, manbeak. And I can't help it. It's like, it's here. It's like just straight bump mouth out.

[Jordan James]

I go, fluff it.

[Simon Scott]

I've done that before. It's like, there's been times where, like, I like. Because we've now got stairs in the house, we run up. We run up and down the stairs on our hands and feet all the time. And Caris ran up the stairs the other day, and I just instantly started going. Just chasing after her, and she's like, what are you doing? I was like, just go with it. It's fun.

[Jordan James]

I just want to go. I gotta go. Pagan, elephant DNA don't mix. I'm just sit. Just like, I need to say that. I just. I didn't want to interrupt you, but I was like. And elephant DNA, you just don't. And that's such an early episode as well. It's such an early episode with Dr. Mesto. I just love that stuff, right? Like the freaking monkey with four asses, but just. And just sits and goes. So anytime. Anytime I'm annoyed and people are like, what's the matter? And I just go like, the monk.

[Simon Scott]

So it's like, whose phone's ringing? Whose phone's on? Like, what's going on here?

[Jordan James]

It's so interest. Like you said before, like, for me, South. So many. Is so many from. From South Park. So many from Monty Python, but so many from South Park. And it. But it's not just words. It's not just phrases, but it is noises as well as. As we've been discussing. But for me, the huge one, and I know you do this too, is every time someone says, we need some creme fraiche. And I go, creme fresh, Creme frayish. Which is Randy, who's my favorite character.

[Simon Scott]

I was doing it literally this morning. Dude, it's so funny you say that. I made myself a bacon sandwich, and I was like, you know what this needs? Like, I didn't even have any, but I was just like, cream fridge.

[Jordan James]

I don't even know why he says it like that, but it's like, it doesn't matter because you do. You just. And the other one is the one. I'm annoyed. And I do this as a gift as well. Like, we communicate in, like, memes and gifs and stuff, but I do this with gifts. And I just do this in general is if I'm annoyed at everyone. I was like, I hate you guys.

[Simon Scott]

And he does. He does it all the time. All the time. We were talking About RFK the other day, and we literally did the episode, he just said, I hate this guy. Yeah. It is crazy. Like, how sort of like the one of the things, right, that I like about all of this is I speak to lots of other ND people and it seems to be the same sources. It's like we seem to follow the same sort of source codes. South Park, Monty Python, you know, we seem to always come back to the similar sorts of pop culture. Pop culture.

[Jordan James]

Ace Ventura, huge one.

[Simon Scott]

This is like, dude, every time I pick up my phone and it rings, I go, Captain's log, 314. I can't help myself. I can't help myself. Like, dude, the amount of times I go to the toilet and I walk out, I'll go, do not go in there. Like, I can't help myself, dude.

[Jordan James]

Dude, if I'm not back in 10 minutes, just wait longer. I fucking love that so much. I've said that so many times. I'm not going to the shop. I'm not back in 10 minutes. Just wait longer.

[Simon Scott]

Another one as well. Dude, I was with my dad in the car the other week, and a car. A bird had pooped on his car, and he just walked up, up to. And he went, guano. Straight away.

[Ashley Bentley]

It's just.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, it's just constant. Jim Carrey has a lot to answer for. He's taken up so much of my brain space.

[Jordan James]

I, I even. I even. But my. My friend. And. And this, this is. This is re. This is what I really love because, like, I. I will hanging out with. With. With another ND as I do. And I just buy the echolalia so they don't need to say, oh, I've been watching this with this week, or I watched this program this week just by the echolalia. I know exactly what they've been watching. And I had this when I literally was out and with my friend and he parked and he went, like a glove. And I went, did you watch Ace Ventura this week? And he went, yeah. How'd you know? He didn't even realize that he said it. He went, how did you know that? And I went, because you just went like a glove. And he went, oh. Oh, crap, Yeah, I did. And that. I found that really interesting that we'll do it and we don't even realize we're doing it sometimes. There's a scary side of this, is that we are very easily influenced by things around us. And if those things are nefarious and we start repeating words and phrases like autistic People can't write poetry that shit. That's bad. But we're not going to talk about that because we were trying to be happy today. But that is a problem. But yeah. So, Ashley, south park, go impress me. Do it. The only thing I can think is your audition.

[Ashley Bentley]

I know. Well, I do remember I used to be quite good at imitating Cartman. And now you're going to want me to imitate it, but now I can't think of what.

[Jordan James]

You've got an American accent. It should be really easy.

[Ashley Bentley]

I know.

[Jordan James]

Every American should just be able to do Cartman immediately.

[Ashley Bentley]

What. What would be a good Cartman phrase?

[Jordan James]

I hate you guys. Yeah, I like cheesy poofs. You like cheesy poofs? You don't like cheesy poof? You are lame.

[Ashley Bentley]

Give me back my cheesy poofs.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah, that's good.

[Ashley Bentley]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Jordan James]

Did you ever see the episode with the planetarium? Because every song, every time someone says, oh, have you been to the planet? I can't even say now, have you been to the planetarium? I go, don't you mean the planetarium? Because the. The person in charge of the planetarium at south park can't say the T in planetarium. And when he says it, he goes, and. Because the kids are like, why, why do you say planetarium? And he goes, oh, I can't say the.

[Podcast Advertiser]

The.

[Jordan James]

The tea in planetarium. And the. And Stan just goes, oh, I see. Okay. There is no such thing as a planetarium now. In my brain, it's just planetarium.

[Ashley Bentley]

I do love to say hello, shitty walk. It's one of my favorite things to say.

[Jordan James]

So good.

[Ashley Bentley]

But that is a difficult one because, you know, obviously I don't want to. I want to be careful.

[Jordan James]

This is the song.

[Simon Scott]

This is the very delicate line. Somebody asked me what the difference between China and Japan was the other day, and I was trying to tell them it's separated by a body of water without doing the accent that they do on south park. Because.

[Ashley Bentley]

Do it.

[Simon Scott]

No, we've just got listeners. We're not losing them this quickly. But that is the really sort of difficult line that this can happen with because I experience that. I. I do experience this because there's a. The whole Robin Williams thing of the line after the. I built these cruise missiles when them kids play ZZ Top, the joke off the back is, God damn Asian drivers. And then the Asian character goes, you better shut up. I've got a flamethrower in the trunk, boy. Then has all of these accents that are associated with it. And if you're watching, like, Richard Pryor from the 70s and 80s or, like, Eddie Murphy's Raw, and then you go out into the real world. You know, I love. I love Dave Chappelle's show, like, the Comedy Central show, like, with Rick. Like, Rick James. Like, that is one of the things that's, like, unity. It's just stuck in my. Ingrained in my head. But he uses language that I. I can't use, and there are times where I. My echolalia picks up on phrases and languages that I ethically shouldn't use, but my brain doesn't know that when it's on the tip of my tongue. So that can be something that is a very difficult line to sort of navigate. But on a positive, fun side. Jordan.

[Jordan James]

Yeah. So, okay, I'll start with Ashley. Ashley, what. What is your most used echoladia word, phrase, or sound the most. The one you do all the time. Like, it's just part of your vocabulary. You don't even think about it.

[Ashley Bentley]

Probably it's going to be a tie between Nash and AJ.

[Simon Scott]

I love that one. I'm going to borrow that.

[Jordan James]

I think in my therapy sessions. If I don't see that in my therapy sessions, I will ask for the money back that I don't pay. That's what I'm going to do. You'll owe me money.

[Ashley Bentley]

Everybody out there, please try and look up some old concert footage of Tina Turner and the very beginning of Proud Mary. It is just.

[Simon Scott]

It's.

[Ashley Bentley]

It's because she goes. She just is like. She's so serious. She's like, we're gonna take a nurse. And easy.

[Jordan James]

So, so unmasked right now.

[Simon Scott]

But how good does it feel in the mouth? Does it not feel like the sweetest toffee you've ever had?

[Ashley Bentley]

It feels so good. And, you know, and. And also I do probably the way that I talk to my dog. So one of the. One of the most embarrassing things that I used to say to him to try and get him to poo, which actually, I created a conditioned response with him. If I said this. This phrase to him, he would poo. And that is eggs in a nest, bud. Eggs in a nest.

[Jordan James]

I. I just. In my brain, I went, come on, you can do it. You can do it.

[Simon Scott]

Which is just from every. This Rob Schneider, just like Schneider. Yeah.

[Jordan James]

Every movie.

[Ashley Bentley]

So, yeah. So it's just so much fun. It just feels so nice. Eggs in an ass. But. Eggs in an ass. So. Yeah, but One. One that does get me into trouble sometimes, because usually if somebody is saying this, they're quite upset, but that doesn't matter. I still have to say, if somebody's like, that's so fucking whatever. I remember. I can't remember where I saw this, but it was. It was a. It was an advert from a long time ago of a place called Sofa King that sells sofas. So it's not just good, it's so fucking good.

[Simon Scott]

So.

[Ashley Bentley]

Anytime somebody's like, it's so fucking. And I'm like, but is it so fucking.

[Jordan James]

Oh, this is why we can only be friends with each other. We can't be friends with neurotypicals. And I think I just burnt down.

[Simon Scott]

My dog died. Like, it's so fucking bad, but is it so fucking good?

[Jordan James]

I think I've just figured out the exact communication problem between us and neurotypicals is. This is. This is genuinely people. This is the most neurodivergent experience this. This podcast has ever really been. This is. To be honest, this is the most me I've ever really been.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jordan James]

Is just doing echolalia. I cannot tell you how free. And I've never. I'm literally. I literally. I keep wiping tears. I'm so. I'm enjoying this so much. I'm actually stimming, you guys.

[Simon Scott]

You can't see me.

[Jordan James]

I've been stimming. I've been. I've been. I've been shaking. I've been, like, touching my hair. I've been touching my hands. I've been. Oh, I'm. I can't tell you how good this feels. And I think. I think we need to start a movement of the echolalia freedom of speech movement.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Jordan James]

I can't believe I just came up with that off the cuff. That was genius. The echolalia freedom of speech movement where we just get to be echolalia as long as it's not offensive or hurtful. Ashley. Where we just. We just get to be unapologetically autistic. And this is the most neurodivergent I think I've ever been on this podcast. Is just echolalia in the shit out of this.

[Simon Scott]

Do you not feel that, like, echolalia, for me is like the hieroglyphic language of neurodivergence.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Simon Scott]

It's a little image. It's like a picture. Right? Is like you say to me, oh, you're having a bad day. And I go, today was a bad day to stop sniffing glue. That image that eidetic image that that phrase gives you shows you Kurt Russell's dad in that airplane sketch. And instantly you know a lot about me because you're like, oh, not only do you like airplane, you love airplane, which means that you like that humor. Do you like the Naked Gun? Do you like Hot Shots? Do you like Scary Movie? Do you like. And then suddenly we're having a whole conversation about our personalities in a safe and unmasked way.

[Jordan James]

I think you have absolutely hit the nail on the head. The echolalia is our language of friendship. And if, if you don't understand someone else's echolalia and you don't get their words and phrases, it doesn't mean you can't be friends. Obviously, that's ridiculous. But I, I think when you find your true friend, it's the person that goes. And like, if I go, it's a mystery pond and you go, brown lap.

[Ashley Bentley]

Pew, pew, pew.

[Jordan James]

Something like that.

[Simon Scott]

Where does it go? Where's it from?

[Jordan James]

Yeah, just brilliant if that. That is the ultimate connection. And I think it just, it just proves how, how great it is for us. I think that. And then the non speaking communication we do through gifts and memes, because I built an entire friendship with one of my best friends on earth, Pickle Rick. And even, even because his name's Rick. And immediately I went, Pickle Rick. And he went, pickle Rick.

[Simon Scott]

It's done, it's decided, it's over.

[Jordan James]

And I was like, this, this is, this friendship is forever. So I literally just call him and I don't say, hey, Pickle Rick. I go, Pickle Rick. Because he's Pickle Rick from Rick and Morty. And that friendship was built on memes and gifs and the, the odd sentence in between.

[Simon Scott]

It says more than any, than it ever can. It's like rather than like we discussed in the Simpsons episode the other week, right? It's like somebody says to me, oh, you need to do this, you need to do this, you need to do this. I don't go, oh, well, shit, that's rather stressful. That's this. I sent back the image of Ralph Wickham sat on the back of the bus going, I'm in danger. Because it says, it says more than I ever can. It just, it helps my Alexithymia so much.

[Jordan James]

Dude.

[Simon Scott]

It says so much more than I can.

[Jordan James]

Oh, you have so hit the nail on the head again. Again.

[Simon Scott]

It's two for one in one episode.

[Jordan James]

Awesome. My Alexithymia just kicks in. I was like, I have a whole thing I was gonna say, but I, I honestly, I think it is actually such, such a great thing because it really does help with alexithymia. It massively helps with alexithymia when we can't get our emotions, we can't get our words out and so we'll just do this instead. So I definitely think it's like, like the perfect example of how we cope with having alexithymia is, is this. And yeah, for me, like I said, memes, gifts, they are just digital echolalia. That's all that is. It's digital echolalia. That is echolalia for the new age, the new way of communication. So let's have a break and then we can, we can tell our little stories. Got some stories.

[Simon Scott]

Ooh, story time. This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. It's Water Malone inside of Water Malone. Have you ever felt stuck in patterns that don't serve you, struggled with stress or wanted to connect more deeply with yourself? Then I have to introduce you to a friend of the podcast. Ashley Bentley of integrated coaching, breathwork and hypnotherapy. Ashley is a highly experienced clinical hypnotherapist and coach specializing in working with neurodivergent minds. Through a unique blend of integrative coaching, breath work and hypnotherapy, Ashley helps people rewire subconscious patterns, regulate their nervous systems, step into more empowered versions of themselves. Whether you're dealing with addiction, anxiety, burnout, or struggles with self acceptance, Ashley offers practical and science backed tools tailored just for you. Her unique methods combine neuroscience, storytelling, subconscious transformation to create real, lasting change. Jordan and I can personally attest to the profound and transformative effects of her sessions, which have been life changing. She does all of these sessions online, meaning she can work with you no matter where you are in the world. If you're ready to break free from old patterns and start living with more clarity, confidence and connection, go to bit ly Ashleynde to book a free consultation or learn more.

[Ashley Bentley]

And we are back.

[Jordan James]

Hey, that was my bit.

[Simon Scott]

Welcome back. Can you tell them? Can you know, can you tell that we're having a lot of fun today? We are, we are really enjoying. I'm really trying to keep like my non like it literally I'm sat here but my brain's been cracking. No, it's really Brad.

[Jordan James]

It's bespoke breakfast for everybody, for everyone listening. I told Ashley to pick up and then I completely threw her by going, that's my bit. Just to be clear, I'M just. I'm just playing. I'm just playing, you guys. Oh, my God. I can't stop. I can't stop, you guys. I hate you.

[Simon Scott]

But what's frustrating, as well as he's going, can't stop. And now Red Hot Chili Peppers is playing in my head. That's another part of this whole Echolette.

[Jordan James]

I've got Echolia Jukebox now. But it's not Don't Stop Me Now Queen. It's Don't Stop Me Now, Shaun of the Dead.

[Simon Scott]

Yep. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not. It's not the song. It's this thing associated with the song. Like, it's. Yeah. Like, the amount of times, dude, that, like, I feel sad and I feel like Creed plays somewhere. I'm just like.

[Jordan James]

I love Creed. I love Scott.

[Simon Scott]

Literally, just, like, just chilling. I just feel my brain go, hoard me now. I'm like, oh, no.

[Jordan James]

Six feet.

[Simon Scott]

It's happening again. Exactly.

[Jordan James]

Okay. Anyway, Right. Three hours later. Oh, my God, that's another one. Every time, three hours later. And I was literally saying to my daughter, I said, in. I've been playing Oblivion Remastered. Yeah, it's out, everybody. It's awesome. And there's a bit where you can wait. So if you're standing around and you need to wait to do a mission and you can choose the amount of time. I always choose three hours, just so I can go three hours later. And I want there to be a mod on Oblivion that you do that, and then it comes up and goes three hours later. Anyway, that's from spongebob, everybody who doesn't know. And if you don't know, you're probably not autistic. Okay.

[Simon Scott]

What are you doing here? Get out of here, you. Yeah, get out.

[Jordan James]

Oh, my God. We can't stop.

[Simon Scott]

Yes.

[Jordan James]

We can't stop.

[Simon Scott]

Okay, we've started to think now.

[Jordan James]

Yeah. I was going to say the most extreme and frustrating echolalia, but I think that's what we've become.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah.

[Jordan James]

To the listeners, they're like, oh, my God, Would you just talk about it, people?

[Simon Scott]

We're trying.

[Jordan James]

Okay.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, no, it's happening again.

[Jordan James]

Scottish.

[Simon Scott]

I'm sorry.

[Jordan James]

Go on, you've got a story. The most extreme but frustrating form of echolalia. And this, by the way, let me be clear. This isn't. Oh, we're having a go at the people that are doing it.

[Simon Scott]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Jordan James]

It's just.

[Simon Scott]

It's more the fantasy, isn't it?

[Jordan James]

We.

[Podcast Advertiser]

We.

[Jordan James]

We like, as autistic people ourselves. It triggers Us, because, well, we'll explain why. Go for it.

[Simon Scott]

Yeah. So like, one of, one of my, like, biggest echolalias is the many different ways that I say hello. Okay. So it could be like, hello there. Or it can be like, oh, hello. Like, I can tell you where they all come from as well. The IMDb page of my brain just opened, but I used to live with a specific group of guys, and one of the guys that I lived with was black, and he used to use the N word casually. Like, it used to be a bit of a fun thing that he used to say to us because, ah, you can't say it back. And it used to be a bit of a joke. But there was one particular lad that we lived with that had echolalia who started to repeat what he was saying, and he was white. So it was obviously very problematic for him when he would be like, I can't say that. And there was a couple of times he said it in the wrong company. Oh, and trying to navigate that and explain that was an absolute social nightmare for this young guy. And you know what? He's a great kid. I, I really enjoyed his company, but it wasn't the fact that he didn't understand social cues. He didn't understand racial boundaries because he didn't understand social cues. So it's a very difficult one. But that was a difficult one for him to navigate. And we, and we were trying to help him with it, but then at the same time, I didn't know that I was neurodivergent at the time, so I was just like, is this guy just a bit of a dick? Like, it was something that I kind of sort of battled with and struggled with, and now I have a lot more understanding because I myself have more understanding of myself. But again, there is a. It's. It's problematic because there's. There's a comedian that I really like, there's a podcast that I listen to that's called Bad Friends.

[Ashley Bentley]

I love Bad Friends.

[Simon Scott]

But so you will know this, Ashley, when Andrew is joking about Bobby's mum and doing the accent because he's Asian.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Simon Scott]

That's the bit that sticks in my head.

[Ashley Bentley]

Right.

[Simon Scott]

So it's like when I listen to these sketches and he's like doing impressions of his mum or he like, takes the, like, he does like the Japanese accent at Bobby. That unfortunately can be the bit that sometimes goes in and I can almost feel it. And I'm like, oh, I really have to wind back from that. Like, it's, it is. It's difficult. It is difficult because I can feel it as well. And I'm not, I'm not a dick, but it's like on the tip of my tongue and I can, it could just. Yeah, yeah, but you know what I mean. So, I mean, how have you found that, Ashley? Have you, have you experienced sort of problematic echolalia yourself or have you seen it with other people?

[Ashley Bentley]

My mind is drawing a blank.

[Jordan James]

Okay, so, Ashley, if you can't think of someone else, what was the worst time it ever happened to you? Like the most embarrassing time? Share. Share with the people your most embarrassing secret.

[Ashley Bentley]

Well, I think that, I think the Sofa King example was really gonna be the example because that has, I have actually said that a few times when I really, really shouldn't. And even though the person I was saying it to knew about this, you know, was in on the joke, but it was like not the right time to use it.

[Jordan James]

Yeah, yeah, my one is interesting. It was when I first sort of got into social media and started gaining a significant following. A lot of those followers were from my local area because I'd started on like local pages, local pages for local people.

[Simon Scott]

We'll have no trouble here. Sorry, sorry, sorry everyone.

[Jordan James]

Sorry, sorry everyone.

[Simon Scott]

I'll mute myself.

[Jordan James]

Jesus Christ. Anyway, so this young kid, you know, he was his early twenties, he reached out to me and said, you know, I'm, I autistic and you know, and I was, I was, oh, that's, that's fantastic. And you know, and I was really interested in like meeting people and making friends and stuff. Now I'm just like everyone. But yeah, so I, I met him in town, went for a coffee and wow, lovely, lovely kid. A fellow photographer. But that's why we met up. I forgot to mention that that was a little thing, but we were, you know, we were planning on doing photography together and stuff. And you know, he came over to our house and, and wow, it was it 90%. Unless he was talking about photography. 90% was just family Guy references. Just exclusively. There was a few extra ones in there, but mostly just Family Guy. And he would do it in the voice. It wasn't just, it was just, it was full on impression, it was full on and oh, he wasn't good at them either. And every time he did one, he'd kind of look at me and wait for me to like, guess who he's doing? I don't know what he was doing. And I was like, no, I, I get it. I, I, I was doing them back and forth. Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I encouraged him. I don't know. Obviously he was nervous. Secondly, he told me this is what he does. He was very self aware. He told me this is what he does. I was like, yeah, it's not a problem. I do the same thing. Wow. I think it's because he was nervous because what I have noticed is I have another friend who, who struggles with speech. It's more of a dyspraxia thing. And it gets way worse when he's nervous. Way worse. Like a lot of us, we make more mistakes when we're nervous. Is it like in, in sports? Like, oh, oh, how come he missed that shot with his nerves? It's the, the big occasion. He's got nerves. It's a whole thing, sports psychology. So I get it, he was nervous, but the autistic in me was like, this is so triggering me. This is just so annoying. And I'm, I'm trying to have a conversation with him and he just keeps doing it, keeps doing it, keeps doing it. There was no conversation because it was just words, phrases and impressions from Family Guy and I love Family Guy and I couldn't take it. And I, you know, I was really polite, I was really nice. I didn't want to hurt his feelings and I didn't see him again. And it wasn't the fact that I. You didn't want to see him again? I actually did want to see him again. I think he got so embarrassed or so upset with himself, he ended up not like, not seeing me. And then I had the RSD from it thinking, oh, maybe I did something wrong. He's probably had the RSD thinking he's done something wrong. And we just, we chatted on messenger and stuff a little bit, talking about photography and things, but we never actually met up again. But I still follow him on Facebook, I'm not gonna say, but I still follow him on Facebook and stuff. And he seems to be doing really, really well with, with his photography for career. And I'm so happy for him. But yeah, it was just one of those really, really awkward moments. And it was the first time I'd come across something like that. And yeah, it, like I said, it didn't, it, it didn't bother me in like, oh, oh, that's ruined everything. But at the time I was like, oh my God, I'm gonna throw this cup of coffee over him if he doesn't stop.

[Simon Scott]

Very disabling for that young man though, isn't it?

[Jordan James]

I felt so sorry for him.

[Ashley Bentley]

That has just made Me realize probably a better one, a very similar one to this was years ago, I went out to dinner with somebody that I worked with. So I knew this guy. And then. But when we were at dinner, suddenly he was just. Everything that was coming out of his mouth was Eddie Izzard. And me being a huge Eddie Izzard fan, I was. I kept saying, oh, yeah, that's Eddie. And I wanted to sort of engage with him on that level. But it just. He. He would just. Either he didn't realize he was doing it or he was. He's never had somebody recognize what he's doing. Cause he was trying to do it as if it was his own, but yet everything he was saying was an Eddy quote. And so I kept. So. Oh yeah. And it just. So I think I ended up making him feel very uncomfortable, but it's only because I wanted to sort of, you know, do it back and forth because I, you know, I was ready to sort of engage with him on that level. But I think he. It really destabilized. It destabilized him. And I think I made him feel very uncomfortable.

[Jordan James]

So that's.

[Simon Scott]

That's very interesting because like, I. I think about this, like echolalia is me unmasking. It's like it's me and my purest form of unmasking, you know, speaking in that, in our language. Right. But there have been times where I have used echolalia and I almost use it as like mask building. So like he was saying there actually this guy that's quoting as Eddie Izzard quotes and portraying this very funny Persona that he want portray. There is nothing worse of when you're trying to create a mask and somebody goes, ah, a mask.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yes.

[Simon Scott]

It's a very frightening walking into a glass door, feeling of going, oh, shit. And then perception, sensitivity, just drowning in it.

[Ashley Bentley]

Yeah, you're exactly right. You're exactly right. And this was so long ago that, yeah, I didn't have the sort of the training and the wherewithal to really understand what was. What was happening and how I could have handled that. That better.

[Jordan James]

There you go. So I mean, the fact is, is we can't all get on and. But I think what. What I like from all three of our stories is that we all tried. Like we are trying. And I think that's. That's the massive issue with neurotypicals. Not obviously not all of them. I have to put that in like a brackets or something. Not every single human. The problem when this happens with neurotypicals, this Is a problem is that they don't try. They just immediately go, oh, it's weird. What's the matter with you, weirdo?

[Simon Scott]

And I'm sure we've all experienced that's.

[Jordan James]

My entire life is really weirdo, literally. And. And I now I just embrace it. And I yeah, I'm a weirdo. Better than being a dick. You're a dick. Sorry. And South Park. And that's. What's the difference between when a neurodivergent person can't handle something and I think a neurotypical in generally speaking is the fact that we're willing to try, but we struggle versus they just want to mock and ostracize. So thank you so much, Ashley. Again, again, again, again. I will be talking to you about my addiction to training.

[Ashley Bentley]

Sounds good. Sounds good. And thank you so much for having me. Thank you so much for having. It's been a. It's been a blast today. I've really enjoyed it.

[Jordan James]

My favorite episode so far. We did simpsons last week and that doesn't even touch how much fun I've.

[Simon Scott]

Had on this show. No, this is the most fun that I've had on this show. And maybe we should come back and we'll do another echolalia episode. Cause I seem to like, yeah, let's.

[Jordan James]

Do one next week.

[Simon Scott]

I seem to.

[Jordan James]

Single week, we're gonna call it the.

[Simon Scott]

The. Straight away, though, my brain just went, how about nerds straight away? And we will see you next week for another wonderful episode. So thank you so much to Ashley Bentley. Please go into the show notes, check her out and follow her work. We will be working with her very soon because I need to cope with house moving. It's stressful and I need a little bit of help from Ashley. So don't feel shame in it if you need a bit of help. Any guidance with anything that you're struggling with. Find all Ashley's links in the show notes below. So thank you so much for joining us. We will catch you in next week's episode or tomorrow's hot topic.

[Jordan James]

And I have one last thing to say.

[Simon Scott]

And what's that?

[Jordan James]

I love you guys.

[Ashley Bentley]

I love you guys, too.

[Simon Scott]

Now remember, cracks and oats. Brand is a fucking house. And brand if it's bad.

[Ashley Bentley]

Oh, my God.

[Simon Scott]

Jesus. Who killed Kenny?

[Jordan James]

Oh, my.

[Simon Scott]

We're going to get sued. Thanks for tuning in to the neurodivergent experience. We hope today's episode sparks something for you. Whether it's a new idea, a bit of validation, or just a moment of connection. Remember, new episodes are every week, so be sure to join us for the the next one for more conversations and insights into the neurodivergent experience. If you've enjoyed this podcast, help us grow. You can do that by rating and reviewing this show. Your support makes a huge difference in helping us reach more people who could benefit from these conversations. You can connect with us on social media, find us on Instagram, Facebook, Tik tok. Just search for the neurodivergent experience. Thank you again for listening and until next time, take care of yourself. You're not alone in this journey.