Perseveration

The uncontrolled repetition of a response, word, phrase, or action that persists beyond the appropriate context. In people with cognitive impairments such as dementia, brain injury, or certain developmental disabilities, perseveration can manifest as repeatedly pressing the same button, saying the same word, or returning to the same topic despite attempts to move on. When designing assistive technology for users who may exhibit perseveration, features like voice output or animated feedback may inadvertently reinforce repetitive behaviors rather than supporting functional communication.