ory of Hyperlexia1960sfirst use of hyperlexiaword decoding higher than comprehensionmay be an advanced specific brain developmentpossibly a learning superiority1970sSilverberg criteria 1.did not include comprehension deficithyperlexia became a learning disabilityHuttenlocker indicated language impairmentNeedleman suggested not necessarily language impaired1980sCobrinik and Richman--Impaired language became part of the criteriaHealy gave criteria for syndrome of Hyperlexia 1. spontaneous reading of words before 5 years of age 2. impaired comprehension of reading and listening 3. word recognition above expectation based on linguistic or cognitive abilities Aram identified two subtypes of hyperlexics 1. superior phonetic analysis 2. superior visual analysis --some comprehended single words, others did not1990sPennington associated hyperlexia with both Autism and right hemisphere disorderRourke associated Nonverbal LD and Aspergers disorder Richman identified two hyperlexic subtypes: 1. Language Learning Disorder 2. Visual-spatial-motor Learning DisorderTo develop effective teaching strategies it is important to separate as well as rule out other disorders from Hyperlexia . An experienced speech and language pathologist who has worked with or on the syndrome is an important first step. Psychological tests which focus on visual processes rather than verbal skills can help to accurately identify Hyperlexia. Hearing, neurological, psychiatric, blood chemistry as well as genetic evaluations can be performed to rule out other disorders (but are not needed to identify Hyperlexia).The success of a hyperlxic child depends on the development of his/her language expression and comprehension abilities. Speech and language therapy as well as early intervention programs can help to attain this goal. The childs reading skills should be used as the pr...
