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A Closer Look at Hyperlexia: How Educators Can Support It

31st May 2023

Hyperlexia is something that not many people might have heard about. Children with hyperlexia might have the symptoms of autism but are not quite autistic. Their reading is advanced beyond their age and they can read fluently without any errors. While there are challenges, these kids have certain strengths as well. And you as educators need to focus on the positives more than the negatives to help them evolve and read their true potential.

Read on to learn the types of hyperlexia, their strengths, and how you as educators can guide and support such learners.

What Is Hyperlexia?

To break it down ‘hyper’ is too much or over of a stated quality and ‘Lexia’ means word or language. Together hyperlexia is a self-taught, precocious ability to read words beyond their age level and it usually appears before the age of 5. Although hyperlexia is not officially recognized as a distinct disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is commonly observed in individuals on the autism spectrum or with other developmental conditions.
 

  Source: sciencedirect.com

Children with hyperlexia have an intense fascination with numbers and letters and they are more likely to spend more time with books than toys. A hyperlexic child can quickly decode sounds and words but is unable to comprehend what they are decoding or reading. Even though they have excellent auditory and visual memory, they face significant difficulties in using verbal language, understanding, and social interactions.

Types Of Hyperlexia:

There are three common types of hyperlexia usually found in children:
 

  Source: andnextcomesl.com
 

• Hyperlexia I
  
  This occurs when a child develops without disabilities and learns to read early and far beyond their expected level. Since other children learn to read and catch up eventually, this condition is often temporary and not long lasting.
   
• Hyperlexia II
  
  This is usually seen in children with autism and is often obsessed with letters and numbers and prefers books and magnetic letters over any type of toy. They can also frequently remember essential information regarding numbers such as birth dates and license plates. These children usually have more typical signs of autism such as avoiding affection or eye contact and being sensitive to sensory stimuli.
   
• Hyperlexia III
  
  In this type, the symptom usually decreases over time and finally disappears. Children with this condition have remarkable reading comprehension, however, their verbal language development often lags behind. In contrast to autistic kids, they are more outgoing, make eye contact easily and have an excellent memory.

Characteristics of Hyperlexia:

Some of the most frequently occurring characteristics of hyperlexic students involve:
 

  Source: www.andnextcomesl.com
 

• Precocious Reading Ability
  
  Hyperlexic learners acquire reading skills at an unusually early age, often without formal instruction.
   
• Difficulty With Comprehension
  
  Hyperlexic individuals may struggle with understanding the meaning behind the words they read.
   
• Exceptional Memory
  
  They often have a remarkable memory of letters, numbers, and words.
   
• Strong Visual And Auditory Processing
  
  Hyperlexic learners tend to excel in visual and auditory processing tasks.
   
• Echolalia
  
  Some hyperlexic individuals exhibit echolalic speech patterns, repeating words or phrases they have heard without understanding their meaning.

Best Ways To Support Learners With Hyperlexia

Here are the top tips to support your students if they are diagnosed with hyperlexia:
 

1. Utilize Their Strengths

   Teachers should be aware of the signs of hyperlexia, such as early reading skills, limited comprehension, and difficulty with social interactions. They might find verbal instructions or information difficult to process, hence written instructions should be kept simple.

   Instead, you should collaborate with special education professionals to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the student's strengths, weaknesses, and individual learning styles. You can also work with them to develop the child’s receptive and expressive language skills to support communication.
    

2. Individualized Instruction:

   Tailor instruction to accommodate the unique learning profile of hyperlexia learners. Emphasize visual supports, such as visual schedules, charts, and graphic organizers, to enhance comprehension.

   Utilize concrete examples and visual aids to bridge the gap between reading and comprehension. Break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps to support their understanding and learning process.
    

3. Multisensory Approaches:

   Incorporate multisensory techniques into teaching strategies, such as combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities. Use hands-on activities, manipulatives, and interactive games to reinforce reading skills and enhance comprehension.

   Encourage students to engage in sensory-rich experiences, like exploring tactile materials or listening to stories with accompanying visuals.
    

4. Social And Emotional Support:

   Hyperlexic students might need extra support to understand what to expect in different social situations and how to cope with transitions and change. Thus, you can foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that values neurodiversity.

   Provide opportunities for social interactions, peer collaborations, and group activities to enhance social skills development. Educate classmates about hyperlexia to promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance. Social situation texts are also a great way to help them learn more about a particular situation and how to respond.
    

5. Individualized Accommodations:

   Adjust the pace and complexity of assignments to meet the needs of hyperlexic learners. Offer additional visual aids, such as highlighted text or enlarged font, to support reading comprehension.

   Provide ample opportunities for self-expression through writing, as hyperlexic learners may find written language more accessible than spoken language.

Aid Your Students Towards Achieving Succes

Hyperlexia can present unique challenges and opportunities for hyperlexic learners and their teachers. But if a child is reading remarkably at a very young age, it does not automatically mean they are hyperlexic or autistic. Hence, familiarize yourself with the different conditions by undergoing Autism courses for teachers and help determine a child’s learning abilities. By understanding the characteristics of hyperlexia and implementing targeted strategies, you can create a supportive learning environment that addresses the specific needs of these exceptional readers.

Written By: Aditi Ghose