Words, Words, Words

Running head: WORDS, WORDS, WORDS

Words, Words, Words: Hyperlexia

Autumn Jones
Harborside Academy

Author Note

Words, Words, Words

This paper was prepared for Advanced Placement Psychology, taught by Mrs.
Jakubowski.Abstract

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Hyperlexia is an uncommon disorder in that it is rarely researched and only
became a term when it was first used in 1967 (Darold A. Treffert,
Distinguishing autistic-like behaviors from Autistic Disorder, 2011).
Hyperlexia is a precocious reading ability, which will be put in depth within
this paper. This literature review examines the symptoms and treatments of
hyperlexia. Studies are also shown regarding case studies and the
information they can provide. Two case studies are focused on, that of 10
year old Ethan and 6 year old Leila. Hyperlexia is closely related to disorders
in the autism spectrum, which will be explored as well. Words, Words, Words:
Hyperlexia
A Review of the Literature
A 9-year-old boy read 6 years in advance of his age (Georgetown
University Medical Center, 2004). A four-year-old boy, without instruction,
placed letter blocks in alphabetic order, matching upper- and lowercase
letters (Georgetown University Medical Center & Wake Forest University
Medical Center , 2004). A child read to her nursery school class at an
advanced grade level, with comprehension (Darold A. Treffert, Oops! When
Autism Isnt Autistic Disorder: Hyperlexia and Einstein Syndrome, 2013).
Are these children extremely gifted or do they have something far less
common? The answer is both. The children from these case studies have
hyperlexia. Hyperlexia is a syndrome that is characterized by a child's
advanced ability to read far above their expected reading level. Yet, they
have trouble when it comes to understanding and using verbal language and

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significant problems during social interactions (Center for Speech and
Language Disorders, 2008). This literature review investigates hyperlexia by
responding to the following questions:
1. What are the symptoms and types of hyperlexia?
2. What do case studies show?
3. What are the treatments for hyperlexia?
4. How is hyperlexia related to autism?
The disorder of hyperlexia can be explored through case studies and
research on symptoms, treatments, and the relation to other disorders.

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperlexia?

Due to the numerous symptoms of hyperlexia, the disorder can often
be misdiagnosed. The severity, frequency, and grouping of the symptoms
can determine an authentic diagnosis (What Is Hyperlexia?, 2015). A
hyperlexic person can have the following; an advanced ability to read words
far above age level, gifted in areas like reading but deficient in others like
social interaction, trouble in understanding verbal language, difficulty in
socializing and interacting appropriately with people, and irregular and/or
awkward social skills (What Is Hyperlexia?, 2015). They also can have
specific or unusual fears, strong fascination with letters or numbers, echolalia
(repetition or echoing of a word or phrase just spoken by another person),

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memorization of sentence structures without understanding, routine driven
or ritualistic behavior, and difficulty with transitions (Cardoso-Martins, 2013).
The following is according to the research of Darold Treffert, M.D.
Based on his studies, there are three different types of hyperlexia. Hyperlexia
I is classified as children who read very early. They are surely not autistic,
just extremely bright. However, the other children will catch up with them
sooner or later and the reading gift is left in their childhood.
Hyperlexia II is the group of children who have hyperlexia as a savant
splinter skill, or remarkable gift, as one symptom of an autistic spectrum
disorder. They read avidly often with bewildering memorization ability. There
may also be a link to number calculating abilities. Obsessiveness
accompanies their fascination with words or numbers. The language, social,
and behavioral symptoms found in autistic spectrum disorders are found in
those with type II hyperlexia as they usually have a diagnosis of Autism
Spectrum Disorder to go along side with their diagnosis of hyperlexia (Darold
A. Treffert, 2013).
The most uncommon form of hyperlexia is hyperlexia III which is
almost always diagnosed as autism because the autistic-like symptoms.
These children may have precocious abilities in other areas and almost
always read early, and have extreme memorization abilities. They may have
intense sensory sensitivity, like to sounds in a busy classroom. They tend to
be more social and interactive than if they were to have autism spectrum
disorder. Routine is important to those with hyperlexia III as they are

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uncomfortable with change. Over time the autistic behaviors and symptoms
may fade and the children will become neurotypical for their age (Darold A.
Treffert, 2013).
All types of hyperlexia have different treatments and symptoms, so
diagnosis is important. Diagnosis is also essential for parents whose children
may be said to have autism, when they may just read early.
What Do Case Studies Show?
Case studies are necessary for any disorder as they put previous
research into real life context. Because hyperlexia is under-researched, many
case studies are unavailable or simply not performed. However, few do exist
and will be covered in this literature review.
Ethan
Now age 10, Ethan was diagnosed with hyperlexia at a young age. He
has attended speech and occupational therapy since he was 1 year old. His
mother noticed that at 1 year, he didnt seem to comprehend what was said
to him, even when non-verbal cues were used. Nor was he speaking, using
common gestures (like waving), and he babbled very little. Before the age of
2, Ethan was fascinated with text. There is visual proof in a home video of
Ethans first birthday party in which his eyes scanned magazines rather than
being interested in the toys or other kids around him. Ethans first word was
spoken at the age of 3 and was one that he read aloud. His first use of words
in a meaningful way was at age 4, this was also his first use of combinations

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of words. At the age of 10, Ethan is very social, but his introductions can
often come off as unusual and/or inappropriate. His speech is rhythmic,
sounding scripted, and he struggles with reciprocal conversation
(Georgetown University Medical Center & Wake Forest University Medical
Center , 2004).
Leila
When Leila was diagnosed with autism, she was almost 3 years old. She
was evaluated by a speech pathologist, a developmental pediatrician, and a
psychologist who had her do different puzzles and tasks. It was then
discovered that along with autism, Leila had hyperlexia. We thought Leila
was already reading at that age but it was hard to be sure because her
communication was very limited, said mother, Katie Burke. After her
diagnosis, Leilas parents chose to focus more on helping Leila more with her
communication, rather than on behaviors. Because of this, they never did an
intensive in-home therapy called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which
would have required 30 hours a week dedicated to therapy. Leila takes the
medicine Zoloft for her anxiety that accompanies her disorder, although it is
not a recognized treatment for hyperlexia or for autism. Now at the age of 6,
Leila is in the first grade. During kindergarten, she came to school with very
little communication skills and did not talk at all. Because of this, carried
around a talker which was a computerized tablet with pictures for buttons,
although the educational assistant, Gale DeAngelis, tried to make her focus

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on using her words. When others did not understand Leila, she would get
very angry, throwing fits and crying because she could not easily
communicate what she wanted. After three months of school, she began
talking more and using full sentences. The staff uses constant training of
social greetings or cues to improve her social skills. Leila is insistent on
routine, and gets mad if things are not done exactly the same way. It takes
her about two weeks to get out of a habit, such as not wearing her snow
pants in the springtime. Her eyes are constantly darting around to words,
numbers, words, numbers. Her favorite thing to do is carry around and read
a picture dictionary, said DeAngelis of Leila, Socially, shes getting so much
better. (Katie Burke and Gale DeAngelis, personal communication, March
2015).

What Are the Treatments for Hyperlexia?

Ultimately, the treatments for hyperlexia come down to the child.
Medications, diets and nutritional supplements are not cures, but they may
help particular symptoms, such as anxiety, obsessive/compulsive symptoms
and attention deficits (Center for Speech and Language Disorders, 2008).
Speech and language therapy is the number one option for treating
hyperlexia (Whaley). The teaching of social skills can be incorporated into the
therapy. As mentioned in Leilas case study, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
is used as an in-home therapy and can help to increase, maintain, and

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restrict behaviors (CenterforAutism). Consulting a pediatrician or psychologist
can help as well, especially if the diagnosis is not clear.

How Is Hyperlexia Related to Autism?

Hyperlexia can fall on the autism spectrum, but it doesnt have to.
Because of this, hyperlexia often gets mixed up with savant syndrome,
hyperthymesia, and Aspergers syndrome, and is misdiagnosed. There are
plenty of cases in which children have recovered from or outgrew their
autism. They most likely never even had Autism Spectrum Disorder (Darold
A. Treffert, Distinguishing autistic-like behaviors from Autistic Disorder,
2011).
Autism is a developmental disability that affects a persons verbal and
non-verbal communication, understanding of language, and socialization
with peers. Other symptoms are repetitive activities, resistance to
environmental change, and unusual responses to sensory experiences or
high sensitivity to sensory experiences (What Is Hyperlexia?, 2015).

Within this literature review, the symptoms and types of hyperlexia

were discussed. There are three distinct forms of the disorder, all of which
have different symptoms out of the many possibilities. Two case studies,
Leila and Ethan, were investigated which helped to apply the information in a
real-life setting. The treatment for hyperlexia can differ as it depends on the
child, although therapy is the most frequent treatment. Autism and

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hyperlexia can be connected, but do not always have to be. They are two
separate diagnoses and should be treated as such. Hyperlexia is a disorder
that is just barely touched on in the scientific world, and should be focused
on more in the future due to its fascinating symptoms and rarity.

Works Cited

CardosoMartins,C.G.(2013).WhatAretheMechanismsBehindExceptionalWordReading
AbilityinHyperlexia?JournalofAutism&DevelopmentalDisorders.
CenterforSpeechandLanguageDisorders.(2008).RetrievedMarch6,2015,fromCSLD:
http://www.csld.org/HyperlexiaDefinition.htm
DaroldA.Treffert,M.(2011).DistinguishingautisticlikebehaviorsfromAutisticDisorder.
WisconsinMedicalJournal.
DaroldA.Treffert,M.(2013,July8).Oops!WhenAutismIsntAutisticDisorder:Hyperlexia
andEinsteinSyndrome.ScientificAmerican.
KatieBurke,GaleDeAngelis(2015,March16).(A.Jones,Interviewer)
GeorgetownUniversityMedicalCenter&WakeForestUniversityMedicalCenter.(2004,
January8).TheNeuralBasisofHyperlexicReading.RetrievedMarch13,2015,fromScience
Direct:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627303008031
GeorgetownUniversityMedicalCenter.(2004,January8).Theneuralbasisofhyperlexic
reading:anFMRIcasestudy.RetrievedMarch13,2015,fromPubMed:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14715131
Hyperlexia.(n.d.).RetrievedMarch7,2015,fromK12Academics:
http://www.k12academics.com/disordersdisabilities/hyperlexia#.VP214mTIKXg
WhatIsHyperlexia?(2015).RetrievedMarch6,2015,fromAutismKey:
http://www.autismkey.com/hyperlexia/

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