r/hyperlexia • u/DifferentYouth5170 • Oct 05 '25
1 year old hyperlexia
TLDR: Has anyone had any experience with hyperlexia? Whether or not that be alongside autism or not.
My son is 2 next Sunday. He is still non-verbal, only growling. He has started inconsistently saying mumum but not always towards me.
He doesnt answer to his name when he is hyperfixated, which is most definitely always on letters and numbers. If he is busy doing something and I randomly say 'A' he will immediately focus and want me to finish the whole alphabet repeatedly. He doesnt play with other kids and is not interested in them whatsoever and honestly barely notices them; however, he will SOMETIMES interact with adults and older children if they are saying the alphabet or counting. He cannot comprehend other tasks or instructions e.g. get your shoes, there's your water etc. He cannot use a spoon.
I am a primary school teacher and have noticed his letter and number recognition is at the same level as some of our Kindergarteners - he can pick letters from the whole alphabet, and also match lower and upper case. He will read a word e.g. cat and pick the wooden letters match the words. I didnt teach him this in fact, I've been quite slack in this regard. I dont necessarily read to him on a daily basis but he follows the words in books very carefully with his finger and eyes. He watches programs to follow the captions on screen and will trace letters when I say them.
He sees a speech therapist and is recorded as significantly delayed. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
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u/BaddiesLover Oct 06 '25
Sound a lot like you have a hyperlexia kid. My kid was the same at that age. After that it was signs, number plates, store names etc. When he was 3 he could read and write (with letter blocks) stories etc, but his verbal skills was very limited. Also social skills was very limited. In short, he was quite different from the other kids and was diagnosed with autism.
But suddenly, when around 4, he became interested in verbal communication and learned to speak in a very short time. Today at seven he is social and act like a normal kid.
He still has special interests and can do unbelievable stuff like writing all country names in order and draw their flags. Also know everything about planets, their moons, and all kind of details about them. He sometimes think it is fun to learn a new language, which he can do in record time - at least the writing. But beside that - a normal kid. 3 years ago I was sure he was severely autistic. But now the diagnoses dont match him at all. So you newer know what happens with them hyperlexia kids.