What is hyperlexia syndrome?

Hyperlexia is when a child starts reading early and surprisingly beyond their expected ability. It's often accompanied by an obsessive interest in letters and numbers, which develops as an infant.‌ Hyperlexia is often, but not always, part of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

What are signs of hyperlexia?

People with hyperlexia have an innate ability to decode or sound out words very quickly and are commonly known as “super readers”. They generally have a very good auditory and visual memory. While they can read well, they may have verbal communication skills that are below their age level.

Can a child be slightly autistic?

A child could have mild symptoms of autism, but parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis. When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response.

At what age does hyperlexia start?

Hyperlexia is when a child starts reading early and surprisingly beyond their expected ability, sometimes when they are 18 or 24 months, and occasionally it is not a stand-alone diagnosis.

Are hyperlexia kids gifted?

Hyperlexic children are intelli- gent, often highly-gifted individ- uals. They have an intense curiosity and interest in learn- ing. Older hyperlexic children may often be highly verbal and obviously academically gifted.

What Is Hyperlexia? #learning

How do I know if my child is hyperlexia?

What does borderline autism look like?

Borderline autistic children often become obsessive with patterns and repetitive behavior and play. Even though they engage in repetitive behavior, it is less extreme than children with autism. Toddlers that are borderline autistic may have a specific attachment to an odd item such as liking door knobs, keys, lamps…

What does level 1 autism look like?

A child with level 1 autism may understand and speak in complete sentences, but have difficulty engaging in back-and-forth conversation. Children with ASD level 1 experience some inflexibility of behavior, like difficulty switching between tasks, staying organized, and planning.

What is the mildest form of autism?

Level 1 Autism

Level 1 is typically classified as “mild” autism, as autistic people at Level 1 have the lowest support needs. For an autistic person to be considered Level 1, they must have low support needs for both communication and behaviors.

Is hyperlexia a bad thing?

Children who read early (hyperlexia) or speak late (Einstein Syndrome) have something in common. Both are often mistaken for autism, and much to relief of many parents, both have a good outcome. There are three kinds of hyperlexia: Hyperlexia 1 consists of bright, neurotypical children who simply read early.

Do hyperlexic kids understand what they read?

Hyperlexia is a condition where preschool children display an intense early interest in letters in a way that is very advanced for their age. They can decode words accurately, but without understanding their meaning.

What does Stimming mean?

" Stimming ," also known as self-stimulating behaviors or stereotypy, are repetitive body movements or repetitive movements of objects. Many individuals on the autism spectrum engage in routine stimming .

What age do kids count to 10?

The simple answer is that most toddlers will be able to count to 10 by the time they are around two years old. Every child is different, and this can vary, but it's worth noting as well that at this stage reciting numbers isn't necessarily a sign of understanding the larger concepts behind them.

Do kids outgrow hyperlexia?

But unlike children with hyperlexia 2, the “autistic-like” behaviors in hyperlexia 3 children fade over time with very positive outcomes and little or no autistic residual. The fact that the “autistic-like” features and behaviors fade over time does not mean that happens all by itself.

Can hyperlexia go away?

Hyperlexia III occurs when children read early as above and, for a period of time, have “autistic-like” symptoms which, unlike children on the spectrum, fade over time and disappear.

What is type 2 autism?

Type 2 autism, or level 2 autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how an individual communicates and behaves. They are compromised in social communication, exhibiting atypical social behaviors, and may even walk away in the middle of an interaction.

How can you tell if someone is slightly autistic?

What does Level 2 autism look like?

People diagnosed with ASD level 2 have a harder time masking than those diagnosed with level 1 and may find it hard to communicate or socialize in ways that are accepted or understood by neurotypical society. Likewise, they will find it harder to change focus or shift from one activity to the next.

What is often mistaken for autism?

Social withdrawal and isolation. Anxiety disorders with extreme shyness and social withdrawal can be mistaken for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

How do I know if I'm masking autism?

Signs that someone is masking their autism include:

Copying or mirroring the facial expressions, actions and behaviours of others. Pre-empting responses to people, perhaps by writing them down or practising them. Suppressing their physical symptoms and instead fidgeting.

How do I know if I'm on the spectrum?

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.

What are splinter skills in autism?

Splinter skills are abilities that are disconnected from their usual context and/or purpose. Because they are just a "splinter," or fraction, of a meaningful set of skills, splinter skills may not be particularly useful in real-world situations.

Why do kids with autism love letters?

Many children with autism develop focused interests. Strong interest in letters and numbers is particularly common. It's important to understand that your son's pursuits may be a source of happiness and pride for him. It may also help him cope with stress and difficult situations.

Will my autistic child ever catch up?

Q: Do children with regressive autism catch up to their peers in development? A: With early intervention and tailored support, some children with regressive autism can progress significantly and catch up to their peers developmentally.