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AUTISM GLOSSARY
Hyperlexia
DEFINITION
Hyperlexia is characterized by an advanced ability to read — significantly above what is expected for developmental age — alongside challenges with language comprehension. It is common in autism and often appears between ages 2-5.
WHY IT MATTERS
Hyperlexia can be misread as advanced intelligence across the board. It is important to assess comprehension separately from decoding. Many hyperlexic children need specific support for understanding what they can read.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Hyperlexia is not the same as being gifted in reading. The gap between decoding ability and comprehension is the key feature. A child reading chapter books at age 3 who cannot follow simple verbal directions may have hyperlexia.