Guest guest Posted January 8, 2002 Report Share Posted January 8, 2002 Hi Everyone, In response to an inquiry I made about implementing some VB methods into my son's program, someone mentioned hyperlexia. I've seen that word floating around but just looked into it today. And guess what? That's exactly what Clayton is. It has been a year and a half since his diagnosis of PDD-NOS at age 3 and no professional we've been involved with has ever mentioned it. I always just got a lot of indulgent looks when I talked about how amazing his reading/counting ability always was, even from a very young age, and what a great vocabulary he actually had, though he really didn't use it in a very functional way. My question is this; does this change anything? We have been doing a loosely Lovaas based ABA program with really great results, (by loosely I mean we have always varied SD's using natural language, rotated trials to keep his interest, used NET though I didn't know the term for it when I started), and Clayton's language skills and behaviors have greatly improved. I'm currently exploring VB to address his conversation skills. I realize that hyperlexia is not a diagnosis unto itself, but are there techniques that are especially effective for hyperlexic kids? I'm feeling really dumb at the moment for having missed this. Thanks for your help. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2002 Report Share Posted January 8, 2002 Could I be so bold as to ask any responders to also respond on list or cc to me as well if you prefer personally. We are going exactly through this and I was about to ask the same thing. My son will be 3 in March and he is obsessed with letters and numbers. He will spend his time at the keyboard or phone going over them, counting forwards and backwards, getting " stuck " on an object because of a letter, when he brushes his teeth he will count each rinse of the toothbrush or assign each movement a letter. He is also like this with body parts/colors any list type thing and really knows it. I had to hide the phone and keyboard this Christmas to try to keep him with us. I suspect he may even read a little or at least have memorized some letter combinations to know what they are-we have these knowledge adventure cd-roms that look exactly the same on the spines (same color combo, no pictures, just text labels) but he can go right out and pick out the one he wants among several and always gets it right. Dawn, I know what you mean. I also have had the somewhat patronizing looks as I describe this to evaluators. It isn't that I want someone to pat me on the back for him being so smart-it really interferes with the things he should be focusing on as a 2 year old. Thanks, Meggie [ ] hyperlexia? Hi Everyone, In response to an inquiry I made about implementing some VB methods into my son's program, someone mentioned hyperlexia. I've seen that word floating around but just looked into it today. And guess what? That's exactly what Clayton is. It has been a year and a half since his diagnosis of PDD-NOS at age 3 and no professional we've been involved with has ever mentioned it. I always just got a lot of indulgent looks when I talked about how amazing his reading/counting ability always was, even from a very young age, and what a great vocabulary he actually had, though he really didn't use it in a very functional way. My question is this; does this change anything? We have been doing a loosely Lovaas based ABA program with really great results, (by loosely I mean we have always varied SD's using natural language, rotated trials to keep his interest, used NET though I didn't know the term for it when I started), and Clayton's language skills and behaviors have greatly improved. I'm currently exploring VB to address his conversation skills. I realize that hyperlexia is not a diagnosis unto itself, but are there techniques that are especially effective for hyperlexic kids? I'm feeling really dumb at the moment for having missed this. Thanks for your help. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 Here are a couple of online links, FWIW, and some comments from a friend who's been active on some hyperlexia boards: www.hyperlexia.org That has all the basic info, good articles and will link them to all the other ones. And they can order " Reading Too Soon " which is a book about hyperlexia. The site is run by a speech therapy center outside Chicago which specializes in hyperlexia and other speech/language disorders. Then there is http://westwingpublishing.com/hyperlexia/ which is owned by Kovach who wrote a book about her daughter who is hyperlexic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Our son was never officially dx'ed ...but we all know he is Hyperlexic .. he started reading at the age of 3 .. and by 4 was reading without any instruction or tutoring . He is now 17 - he has pragmatic issues but overall has become a delightful young man . We believe his issues stem from a adverse reaction to a vaccine reaction ...he was part of the hot lot DPT in 1989 . He spent a week in the hospital at the age of 3mos and then the next 18mos on a apnea machine at home . He would simply stop breathing in his sleep - with no other symptoms. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 My 15 AS year old son was hyperlexic. He began identifying letters and numbers on license plates at age 18 months. He then associated people in the neighborhood by their house #'s. He would memorize the #'s on walks, see people in the grocery store and say " hey there's # 54 " . He began reading well at age 3. From my experience, some kids with Asperger's have hyperlexia, but not all. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Wow - my son to a t!. He just turned six. I dont know if he is Aspergers or HFA...but definitely hyperlexic. Ive had people in the autism community tell me its a good sign. But dont know what that means... > > My 15 AS year old son was hyperlexic. He began identifying letters and > numbers on license plates at age 18 months. He then associated people in the > neighborhood by their house #'s. He would memorize the #'s on walks, see people > in the grocery store and say " hey there's # 54 " . He began reading well at > age 3. From my experience, some kids with Asperger's have hyperlexia, but not > all. Pam > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 OMGosh! A very good friend of ours has a young son who does something similar: he reads the licence plates off of cars and associates the people with these... just like you said: " There's X1A 2T9. " His grandmother is a special needs' aide and identified the behavior as hyperlexia. There are many other " symptoms " that lead us to believe that he is on the spectrum: extremely smart, does not like to be touched by others, there is not one photograph that has captured him gazing towards the camera, fascination with the weather channel, ability to pick up languages - other than the 2 spoken at home - with ease (particularly numbers and letters), tantrums, difficulty potty training, echolia... However, mom is apparently in denial (she herself is an elementary school teacher) and has told the grandmother to back off, that he will outgrow these behaviours. I feel sad that he is missing out on early intervention as I have often thought to myself this sure seems a lot like, " AS " . My son is quite different from him though there are certainly qualities that are interchangable. -Velvet > > My 15 AS year old son was hyperlexic. He began identifying letters and > numbers on license plates at age 18 months. He then associated people in the > neighborhood by their house #'s. He would memorize the #'s on walks, see people > in the grocery store and say " hey there's # 54 " . He began reading well at > age 3. From my experience, some kids with Asperger's have hyperlexia, but not > all. Pam > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 You may add us to your list. Our child is eight. Knew every logo you can imagine by two and was reading Harry Potter by 4. None of the specialists we work with will dx Hyperlexia, but he has a PDD-NOS dx as well as a counselors letter of AS findings. He also takes all sayings quite literally. It is an interesting road we travel. Lynn I have a son who is ten and he was dx as hyperlexia/asperger syndrome. I have never found anyone who even knows what it is little less someone with a son with it. started reading the bible at two and has been reading every since. I was glad to finally run across someone else who has a child with this. Mom of 12 with AS Mom of 10 with AS/Hyperlexia Wife of husband with AS > > Our son was never officially dx'ed ...but we all know he is Hyperlexic .. > he > started reading at the age of 3 .. and by 4 was reading without any > instruction > or tutoring . He is now 17 - he has pragmatic issues but overall has become > a delightful young man . --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2006 Report Share Posted May 13, 2006 My son is 15 and was reading logos and store names by 2. He has excellent decoding skills but his inferential comprehension is very problematic. We have not found hyperlexia to be a very useful diagnosis because it is not very clearly defined. It apparently means different things to different people. To some, it means the absence of comprehension. This is clearly not the case for my son. He understands factual information really well. To others it means, difficulties comprehending in a broader sense. This is definitely the case for my son. So ususally we stay away from the term hyperlexis and just describe the various difficulties that my son has with reading. Regards, Trish > > You may add us to your list. Our child is eight. Knew every logo you can imagine by two and was reading Harry Potter by 4. None of the specialists we work with will dx Hyperlexia, but he has a PDD-NOS dx as well as a counselors letter of AS findings. > > He also takes all sayings quite literally. > It is an interesting road we travel. > Lynn > > I have a son who is ten and he was dx as > hyperlexia/asperger syndrome. > I have never found anyone who even knows what it > is little less > someone with a son with it. started > reading the bible at two > and has been reading every since. I was glad to > finally run across > someone else who has a child with this. > > Mom of 12 with AS > Mom of 10 with AS/Hyperlexia > Wife of husband with AS > > > > Our son was never officially dx'ed ...but we > all know he is > Hyperlexic .. > > he > > started reading at the age of 3 .. and by 4 was > reading without any > > instruction > > or tutoring . He is now 17 - he has pragmatic > issues but overall has > become > > a delightful young man . > > > > --------------------------------- > How low will we go? Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Subject: ( ) Hyperlexia? Does anyone have any experience with hyperlexia? My son was diagnosed in March with PDD-NOS, " borderline Asperger's " (they wouldn't diagnose him with AS because he is " too young " - he just turned 5 on Sunday). Anyway, he just had his second visit with a psychologist and she suggested that I do some reading on hyperlexia, as he seems to be exhibiting some symptoms (echolalia in particular). And it seems as if a lot of the hyperlexia symptoms are similar to AS symptoms, mayb of which he does have, of course. After doing some surfing last night to research it a little, I don't think is hyperlexic in spite of having some of the symptoms but wanted to ask if there's anyone out there whose child is hyperlexic who could give me a little more info. It seems from what I am reading that the biggest indicator is the ability to read at a very young age, way ahead of their peers. is starting to read now, but he is nowhere near being a good reader or anything. If anyone has any comments/experience they can share, I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Ann My 9 yo ds has hyperlexia. I do find the dx useful. It isn't really a dx as much as a characterization. But that is the fault of scientists and doctors who don't find enough of these kids to bother studying them more. Anyway, I find it very useful because it lets people know more information about him. I put it on all of his IEPs right next to autism. I want them to understand that he acts a lot smarter than he is because of hyperlexia as well as getting to know the learning style. And you know, the next kid to come along with it, will find a partially battered down pathway. Lol. Anyway, here is the list I just compiled for his teachers with information about hyperlexia: Notes about Hyperlexia Hyperlexia has three main characteristics: .. Precocious reading ability .. Significant difficulties in understanding and using language .. Problems with social skills Hyperlexia is a rare exceptionality that can occur in children with autism. Hyperlexia is a developmental disability characterized by superior word recognition and decoding skills accompanied by delayed development of cognitive and language abilities and poor understanding of comprehension. Children with hyperlexia often learn to read before they learn to use oral language. Children with hyperlexia are usually reading before age 5. Children with hyperlexia will learn isolated pieces of information by rote and have difficulty organizing the information in context. Hyperlexic children can decode with ease but have limited reference to meaning. Early language development: .. Children may learn early words but lose language between 18 - 24 months .. Early language learned is echolalic .. Early language is learned in chunks, whole phrases or conversations instead of individual words .. Marked abnormalities in the form of speech such as the use of repetitive speech and inability to use pragmatic speech. Children with hyperlexia will have extreme need for sameness and have difficulty with transitions. They can have generalized anxiety, specific fears, sensitivity to loud noises and tantrum behaviors. They have difficulty working in small groups, socializing with peers and developing friendships with peers. Because they have difficulty keeping up with the language aspect of relationships, it is easier to withdraw from the situations. Use Positive behavioral supports in the classroom. .. Smaller class sizes in elementary school .. A selection of a peer group as positive language models .. Development of a structured classroom, but not a rigid structure. .. Use visual and manipulative aids for teaching all subjects. .. Provide therapies - OT, ST and learning disability specialist. Children with hyperlexia will need: .. Help learning to comprehend and use the information that they read .. Visual learners who will benefit from using graphic organizers, mind maps and word webs.. .. Use of visual cues such as highlighting and simplifying text, especially text including figures of speech and expressions that are confusing. .. Using songs and music to learn materials .. Preteach vocabulary for understanding .. Introduce new material through concrete examples .. Primary use of visual cues to develop language .. Emphasize memorization of chunks and phrases rather than single words. .. Modeling language - a language enriched classroom. .. Use written format as well as auditory. .. Emphasize word order, relational concepts and idiom usage. Help the child with hyperlexia socially by: .. Incorporate routines into the lessons .. Use a rule book that the student can refer to .. Develop written scripts that incorporate the appropriate behavior you want the child to develop .. Use games with written rules .. Post rules of behavior .. Make lists to aide student in knowing what to expect. .. WRITE IT DOWN! A significant problem can occur when teachers focus on the exceptional strength the child presents in reading, causing expectations of the child that are not available due to the problems in language comprehension and usage. Children with hyperlexia can have added stress and anxiety provoked by unrealistic assessments of their ability and high demands placed on them by others. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Thanks for explaining what Hyperlexia is. Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote: Subject: ( ) Hyperlexia? Does anyone have any experience with hyperlexia? My son was diagnosed in March with PDD-NOS, " borderline Asperger's " (they wouldn't diagnose him with AS because he is " too young " - he just turned 5 on Sunday). Anyway, he just had his second visit with a psychologist and she suggested that I do some reading on hyperlexia, as he seems to be exhibiting some symptoms (echolalia in particular). And it seems as if a lot of the hyperlexia symptoms are similar to AS symptoms, mayb of which he does have, of course. After doing some surfing last night to research it a little, I don't think is hyperlexic in spite of having some of the symptoms but wanted to ask if there's anyone out there whose child is hyperlexic who could give me a little more info. It seems from what I am reading that the biggest indicator is the ability to read at a very young age, way ahead of their peers. is starting to read now, but he is nowhere near being a good reader or anything. If anyone has any comments/experience they can share, I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Ann My 9 yo ds has hyperlexia. I do find the dx useful. It isn't really a dx as much as a characterization. But that is the fault of scientists and doctors who don't find enough of these kids to bother studying them more. Anyway, I find it very useful because it lets people know more information about him. I put it on all of his IEPs right next to autism. I want them to understand that he acts a lot smarter than he is because of hyperlexia as well as getting to know the learning style. And you know, the next kid to come along with it, will find a partially battered down pathway. Lol. Anyway, here is the list I just compiled for his teachers with information about hyperlexia: Notes about Hyperlexia Hyperlexia has three main characteristics: .. Precocious reading ability .. Significant difficulties in understanding and using language .. Problems with social skills Hyperlexia is a rare exceptionality that can occur in children with autism. Hyperlexia is a developmental disability characterized by superior word recognition and decoding skills accompanied by delayed development of cognitive and language abilities and poor understanding of comprehension. Children with hyperlexia often learn to read before they learn to use oral language. Children with hyperlexia are usually reading before age 5. Children with hyperlexia will learn isolated pieces of information by rote and have difficulty organizing the information in context. Hyperlexic children can decode with ease but have limited reference to meaning. Early language development: .. Children may learn early words but lose language between 18 - 24 months .. Early language learned is echolalic .. Early language is learned in chunks, whole phrases or conversations instead of individual words .. Marked abnormalities in the form of speech such as the use of repetitive speech and inability to use pragmatic speech. Children with hyperlexia will have extreme need for sameness and have difficulty with transitions. They can have generalized anxiety, specific fears, sensitivity to loud noises and tantrum behaviors. They have difficulty working in small groups, socializing with peers and developing friendships with peers. Because they have difficulty keeping up with the language aspect of relationships, it is easier to withdraw from the situations. Use Positive behavioral supports in the classroom. .. Smaller class sizes in elementary school .. A selection of a peer group as positive language models .. Development of a structured classroom, but not a rigid structure. .. Use visual and manipulative aids for teaching all subjects. .. Provide therapies - OT, ST and learning disability specialist. Children with hyperlexia will need: .. Help learning to comprehend and use the information that they read .. Visual learners who will benefit from using graphic organizers, mind maps and word webs.. .. Use of visual cues such as highlighting and simplifying text, especially text including figures of speech and expressions that are confusing. .. Using songs and music to learn materials .. Preteach vocabulary for understanding .. Introduce new material through concrete examples .. Primary use of visual cues to develop language .. Emphasize memorization of chunks and phrases rather than single words. .. Modeling language - a language enriched classroom. .. Use written format as well as auditory. .. Emphasize word order, relational concepts and idiom usage. Help the child with hyperlexia socially by: .. Incorporate routines into the lessons .. Use a rule book that the student can refer to .. Develop written scripts that incorporate the appropriate behavior you want the child to develop .. Use games with written rules .. Post rules of behavior .. Make lists to aide student in knowing what to expect. .. WRITE IT DOWN! A significant problem can occur when teachers focus on the exceptional strength the child presents in reading, causing expectations of the child that are not available due to the problems in language comprehension and usage. Children with hyperlexia can have added stress and anxiety provoked by unrealistic assessments of their ability and high demands placed on them by others. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 WONDERFUL post...I know my son is/was hyperlexic...but never found that much information about it in one place. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Subject: Re: ( ) Hyperlexia? WONDERFUL post...I know my son is/was hyperlexic...but never found that much information about it in one place. Pam That's kind of why I put all that together in one place. It's too bad there isn't more interest in studying hyperlexia. There is even less on older kids with hyperlexia. I guess it is just viewed as a " savant " skill or a nice parlor trick. And once peers can read also, who cares...right? However, I was almost as bad on that end because I did not really spend too much time pushing the Hyperlexia information as I felt the autism problems were more important. Then I am asking his private ST who does social group with him, why can't he still get WH questions? Why this and that...and she said, " Maybe he's hyperlexic? " Well, I already knew that he was but had not paid a lot of attention to what it meant for him. And reading more about it again, I realized it answered all my WH questions! Lol. So I am trying to put out information for them so they realize why he is having the problems he has and also ways to work with him better. I must say, he has a good team again this year. I begged the principal to promote his teacher to 5th grade so he wouldn't have to " break in " a new one. Ugh. Begging didn't work...have to work on bribery maybe... Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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