A resource guide for parents & educators

By Dyan Robson
© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 1
 “I knew that I had to write about hyperlexia. I
had to write about it not only as a way to help
me understand it myself, but to also hopefully
connect with other parents dealing with
hyperlexia and/or hypernumeracy. My hope is
that I can create a great resource for parents just
like me, trying to navigate the crazy, wonderful
world of hyperlexia and/or hypernumeracy.“

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 2

 WHAT IS HYPERLEXIA?
Hyperlexia is the
precocious, self-
taught ability to
read before the
age of 5.
 Hyperlexia appears before
age 5
 Excellent at decoding
 An intense fascination with
letters, numbers, logos, or
maps
Read more here >>
Significant Three types of
difficulty in hyperlexia
understanding have been
& developing proposed by
oral language. Dr. Treffert.
 Difficulty answering “WH”  Type I: Bright, neurotypical
questions children who read early
 Echolalia  Type II: Children with autism
 Rarely initiates conversations who have hyperlexia as a
“splinter skill”
 Thinks in concrete, literal
terms  Type III: Children who read
early & have autistic like traits,
 Listens selectively or appears
but do not have autism
to be deaf
Read more here >>
Read more here >>
© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 3
5-10% of children with
autism have been
estimated to have
hyperlexia

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 4

 SIGNS OF HYPERLEXIA
Here are some of the signs of hyperlexia to watch out for:

 Precocious, self-taught ability to read words that appears before age 5

 Significant difficulty understanding verbal language
 Intense fascination with letters, numbers, maps, or patterns
 Difficulty answering “WH” questions
 Difficulty interacting with peers or adults
 Echolalia
 Awkward or unusual social skills
 Rarely initiates conversations
 Intense need to keep routines
 Strong auditory & visual memory
 Sensory sensitivities

Learn more about the signs of hyperlexia & download a free printable poster >>

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 5

 HYPERLEXIA IN ACTION
Children with hyperlexia are little spelling
machines! They turn ordinary things into
words. They can spell large words with zero
trouble. They simply love the written word!
Come embrace the world of hyperlexia
with us:
Watch our This is Hyperlexia video >>
Browse the #thisishyperlexia photo gallery
on Instagram >>

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 6

 STRATEGIES TO HELP AT HOME
1. Play I Spy games
2. Describe the world around you
3. Dictate your day
4. Use speech scripts
5. Practice “WH” questions (Download free printable personal questions & free printable
everyday objects questions)
6. Correct speech errors by using positive language and modeling
7. Write it out!
8. Use a visual schedule (Download the free printable daily visual schedule >>)
9. Use social stories (Download free social stories >>)
10. Read books with speech and thought bubbles (Find out how these books improve
comprehension >>)
11. Practice making inferences
12. Rephrase questions as fill-in-the blank statements
13. Play games that encourage turn taking

Read more about these strategies >>

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 7

 HYPERLEXIA RESOURCES
RESEARCH ARTICLES, BLOG POSTS, VIDEOS, & MORE!

Browse the hyperlexia resource guide >> (updated regularly)

BOOKS ABOUT HYPERLEXIA

 The Anti-Romantic Child: A Memoir of Unexpected Joy by Priscilla Gilman

 Reading Too Soon: How to Understand and Help the Hyperlexic Child by Susan M. Miller
 When Babies Read: A Practical Guide to Helping Young Children with Hyperlexia, Asperger
Syndrome, and High-Functioning Autism by Audra Jensen
Learn more about these hyperlexia books >>

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS

 Hyperlexia Parents Network on Facebook

 Hyperlexia Type III (Without ASD) Facebook Group

 Hyperlexia Reddit Page

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 8

 CLASSROOM STRATEGIES
1. Use audiobooks with the book alongside
2. Written instructions on how to begin and complete tasks
3. Photos and list of names to help child identify classmates, teacher, room number, and floor-
plan of the school
4. Use visual schedules and a specific routine
5. Use checklists
6. Allow free access to scrap paper
7. Keep the classroom decorations minimal or seat the child away from distractions
8. Use visual cues along with verbal directions
9. Speak in simpler language with lots of repetition and rephrasing
10. Use social stories or social scripts to help with social skills
11. Use music and/or an exaggerated and animated voice when speaking
12. Rephrase “WH” questions as statements and allow the child to complete the statement
13. Label objects in the classroom
14. Do lots of classifying, matching, and categorizing activities
15. Read books with speech balloons and thought bubbles

See these and many more helpful strategies >>

© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 9

 EXERCISES FOR PARENTS
DEAR HYPERLEXIA
Write a letter addressed to
hyperlexia. What would you say
to this diagnosis?
Read my letter here >>
#THISISHYPERLEXIA
Share your own photos &/or
browse a whole gallery of photos
on Instagram showing hyperlexia
in action.
Browse #thisishyperlexia >>
© 2015 DYAN ROBSON ANDNEXTCOMESL.COM | HYPERLEXIA HANDBOOK | PAGE 10
ASK “WH” QUESTIONS
Help your kids practice their
“WH” questions with these free
questions & prompts.
Download the printables here >>
WEEKLY AUTISM PLANNER
Plan out activities, including
speech goals and social skills,
with the free Weekly Autism
Planner.
Get your free planner here >>