Therapy sessions with a child psychologist and occupational therapist might also help. For example, they might do better using technology or prefer writing in a notebook. A hyperlexic child will excel in reading but might need another way of learning other subjects and skills. In the United States, individualized education programs (IEPs) are made for children as young as age 3 who would benefit from special attention in certain areas. Once they begin school, they might need extra help in reading comprehension and other classes.
Your child might need speech therapy, communication exercises, and lessons on how to understand what they’re reading, as well as extra help with practicing new speaking and communication skills.
Parents can often recognize what their child needs to learn new mental, emotional, and social skills. As their parent, you’re the best person to help them communicate how they feel. You’re a big part of your child’s treatment plan.
Others need a treatment plan that extends into their adult years or indefinitely. Some children may need help with learning for just a few years. Treatment plans for hyperlexia and other learning disorders will be tailored to your child’s needs and learning style. Other health professionals that help diagnose hyperlexia include occupational therapists, special education teachers, and social workers. Sometimes hearing problems can prevent or delay speaking and communication skills. Your doctor will also likely check your child’s hearing, vision, and reflexes. Your child might even have fun doing them! Don’t worry - the tests are not difficult or scary. Some of these might involve playing with blocks or a puzzle and just having a conversation. Your child might be given special tests that are used to find out their understanding of language. You’ll likely have to see a child psychologist, behavioral therapist, or speech therapist to find out for sure. A pediatrician or family doctor will need the help of other medical experts to diagnose hyperlexia. Let your pediatrician know if you think your child has hyperlexia or any other developmental issues. Like any learning disorder, the sooner a child receives a diagnosis, the faster they’ll have their needs met to be able to learn better, their way. Hyperlexia is normally diagnosed based on what symptoms and changes a child shows over time. The DSM-5 lists hyperlexia as a part of autism.
Hyperlexia is not clearly defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for doctors in the United States. This condition is not easy to diagnose because it doesn’t go by the book. A child who is hyperlexic may also have other behavioral and learning issues.
Hyperlexia usually doesn’t occur on its own as a stand-alone condition. Along with being fascinated with words and letters, some kids also like numbers. They might even spell words out loud or in the air with their fingers. Kids with hyperlexia will like books and other reading materials more than playing with other toys and games.
A child might do this by repeating words he sees or hears over and over again. They’ll learn to read quickly without much teaching and sometimes even teach themselves how to read. They might find other tasks like putting together puzzles and figuring out toys and games a bit tricky. Kids with hyperlexia have very high reading skills but lower than normal understanding and learning skills. They might also exhibit behavioral problems. Despite being able to read well, hyperlexic kids will show signs of a developmental disorder, such as being unable to speak or communicate like other kids their age. If your child doesn’t have these, they might not be hyperlexic. There are four main characteristics that most kids with hyperlexia will have.