Hyperlexia
“Hyperlexia is a fascination with letters and numbers. People with hyperlexia have an innate ability to decode or sound out words very quickly and are commonly known as ‘super readers’.”35
There are three key forms of hyperlexia36
- hyperlexia 1 – this form occurs when a child who does not have learning or developmental disabilities learns to read at a rate and level that’s beyond what’s expected for their age. Type 1 is usually temporary, because other children will ‘catch up’ as they grow up.
- hyperlexia 2 – this form occurs specifically in children with autism and manifests as a special interest in numbers and letters. They may be exceptional and keen readers and have the ability to remember numbers and dates. They are likely to exhibit autism traits including difficulty with eye contact and sensory sensitivities. Type 2 does not disappear with age.
- hyperlexia 3 – this form is associated with autism, but it does fade as the individual ages. Individuals with hyperlexia 3 are less likely to exhibit other autism traits, like difficulty with eye contact, but they may have lower verbal abilities than their peers.
Adults with hyperlexia can bring a range of strengths to the workplace, including creativity, problem-solving skills, exceptional linguistic and numerical abilities, and a great memory.