What is Hyperlexia?
Hyperlexia is often evident by a child’s early development in reading. Their skills in reading may actually far exceed that of their peers. While this would seem like a positive thing, advanced reading skills are coupled with underdeveloped comprehension skills. Put simply, they won’t understand what they have read. Other signs include but are not limited to:
- Learning to speak early (12-18 months)
- A fascination with letters and numbers
- Underdeveloped conversational and social skills
Is Hyperlexia the same as Dyslexia?
Hyperlexia is often described as being the ‘opposite’ of Dyslexia. This is understandable as a Hyperlexic person is diagnosed as such due to an advanced reading ability and lack of comprehension skills. This directly contrasts with the difficulties in reading and regular comprehension skills that define Dyslexia as a condition.
Is Hyperlexia a form of Autism?
The signs of Hyperlexia do have lots in common with the signs of Autism, particularly the lack of social skills and obsessive behaviour. This has led many to believe Hyperlexia does in fact belong alongside Aspurgers Syndrome within the autism spectrum.
