What is Hyperlexia in Toddlers?

I was confused the first time I heard my daughter, then three years old, identified as "borderline hyperlexic." It sounded like it had to be a joke-- since when is being a precocious reader a disease? As peculiar as it sounds, many toddlers and preschoolers are at some point diagnosed with hyperlexia.

The clinical definition of hyperlexia is, "the presence of advanced ability to read compared to the ability to understand spoken language." It is marked not just by a precocious ability to read, but also a comparative delay in the ability to comprehend speech. A child with extremely severe hyperlexia may be able to write book chapters from memory, but not hold a conversation with his peers. Toddlers with mild hyperlexia (or, as my daughter has, "borderline hyperlexia") may be able to read and write early, but not hold a conversation or answer questions as expected.

Hyperlexia in toddlers usually manifests as precocious literary skills, emerging well before reaching the school years. A hyperlexic toddler is not necessarily able to read, but may have an obsession or preoccupation with letters and sounds. The Wisconsin Medical Society describes several cases of hyperlexia in toddlers, with diagnosably hyperlexic skills ranging from fluent reading at age three to an intense preoccupation with letters at age two. Again, to be diagnosable, hyperlexia must also come along with unusual or delayed development of speech or language skills.

Some toddlers with hyperlexia also have unusually advanced fine motor skills. They may be able to copy words and letters with precision that is extremely unusual for their age. While it's normal for a two-year-old to be able to draw a circle and possibly the letter "V," it is not normal for a toddler of any age to write full, legible words-- and these unusual motor skills may be a sign of hyperlexia or a related phenomenon.

Most of the time, a toddler with an unusual gift for early reading doesn't need any kind of treatment or diagnosis-- except, possibly, an education that will appropriately challenge him. However, hyperlexia is often a symptom of autism spectrum disorder, so it does need to be evaluated, especially in children showing many signs of unusual development.

In the most extreme cases-- such as a child who can write and spell with precision, but can't speak a single word-- hyperlexia is considered to be highly indicative of severe autism. In more minor cases, such as a two-year-old who can read short words but can't answer "What's your name?", hyperlexia may be a sign of Asperger's syndrome or high-function autism. The need for evaluation and treatment will depend entirely upon the extent and severity of a toddler's hyperlexia.

If you believe that your toddler may be hyperlexic, make an appointment with a licensed speech and language pathologist in your area. A qualified therapist can help to determine whether your toddler is actually showing signs of hyperlexia (as opposed to a simple knack for early reading) and whether she has any accompanying symptoms that need treatment. It's likely that early speech therapy can help to even out your toddler's language development, thereby preventing any long-term problems.