Hyperlexia is characterized by an individual having an amazing ability to read words at an early age, but an extreme difficulty in understanding verbal language. They will also have abnormal social skills and different sensory sensitivities. Along with these symptoms, people with hyperlexia, may appear to be deaf at times. People with hyperlexia will have an obsession with written words, which usually makes it difficult for them to stay on task. Here a picture drawn by a first grader with hyperlexia, notice how the objects are labeled with words and number values that made sense to the child.
