Hyperlexia

An interesting article on Hyperlexia.

From Bright Tots: http://www.brighttots.com/Hyperlexia


Behavior

Hyperlexia children follow a similar pattern of development. First words developed at 12-18 months, but approximately half of the children lose gained words and do not begin to regain them until after age two.

At about age two, language may be acquired through simple processing, beneficial through speech therapy. Early speech and language attempts are mainly echolalic. Language is used in "chunks" and “whole phrases” and even entire dialogues may be used as conversation. There are abnormalities in the form and content of language when they speak.

It varies from unemotional, high and low voice pitches, perseveration, pronoun reversals and peculiar use of words or phrases. Comprehending of a single word, exceeds comprehension of sentences. Reading may come naturally, however they may not understand the meaning of what they recite.

Many Hyperlexia children show a big improvement in their language abilities beginning at ages 4 to 5, although
difficulties in holding social conversations continue. This pattern of language acquisition is similar to that of many high-functioning autistic children. Difficulties with social language persist in autistic individuals throughout adulthood.

Individuals with Asperger's syndrome are reported to have developed good grammatical language skills though they too have difficulty comprehending subtle, abstract language.In the early years, Hyperlexia children exhibit many of the behaviors typically associated with autism: self-stimulating behaviors. Routine, ritualistic behaviors, tantrums, sensitivity to sensory input (noise, taste, touch), general anxiety and specific unusual fears. These behaviors subside substantially as growth in language, generally at age 4 to 5.

These children are generally affectionate with their families and are better able to relate to adults than children.

 By age 5, they became able to participate in structured interactive games with peers and imaginative play develops. Difficulty in socializing and handling large groups remains problematic through the elementary grades.

Hyperlexia children often succeeded in regular education classrooms with some minor modifications in instruction. This may also be true for high-functioning autistic children, though there may be other factors which would cause autistic behaviors to persist longer in this group.

Most of the children with Hyperlexia syndrome generally have normal gross motor development and normal
neurological tests, fine motor skills are often delayed.

Early Signs of Hyperlexia

• Learns expressive language in a odd way, echoes or memorizes the a sentence structure unable to understand the meaning. Recites whole phrases and reverse pronouns.

• Rarely initiates conversations

• An intense need to keep routines, difficulty with transitions, ritualistic behavior.

• Sensory / tactile sensitivity.

• Self-stimming behavior such as rocking, spinning, and odd eye movement etc.

• Specific, unusual fears or distress at inappropriate times.

• Normal development until 18-24 months, then regression.

• Strong auditory and visual memory.

• Difficulty understanding questions, such as "what," "where," "who," and "why".

• Think in concrete and literal terms, difficulty with abstract concepts.

• Listen selectively, appear to be deaf at times.