Def. of Hyperlexia

WHAT IS HYPERLEXIA ?

Hyperlexia

Hyperlexia has many characteristics similar to autism and some consider it to be an autism spectrum disorder. Because of its close association with autism, hyperlexia is often misdiagnosed.

The main characteristics of hyperlexia are an above normal ability to read coupled with a below normal ability to understand spoken language. Many of the social difficulties seen in hyperlexic individuals are similar to those found in autism. Often, hyperlexic children will learn to speak only by rote memory and heavy repetition. They may also have difficulty learning the rules of language from examples or from trial and error.

Some people assert that hyperlexia is autism, whereas others assert hyperlexia is a completely different condition.

Source: http://www.autismkey.com/hyperlexia