Hyperlexia in autistic adults

Recently the subject of hyperlexia came up on another thread where I briefly discussed it, but I've since been wondering if it can help mask autism.

Hyperlexia in children is categorized by word reading ability well above what would be expected for their age, and an intense fascination for written material from an early age. It is now thought that there are three types of hyperlexia, and type 2 occurs in children with autism - they often prefer books and magnetic letters over other toys, and frequently remember important numbers like license plates and birth dates.

In adults, hyperlexia includes preferring written communication over verbal conversation, feeling more comfortable writing than speaking, a love of language, patterns & wordplay, and getting lost in a book. Here is a link to a fuller description:

https://www.sagebrushcounseling.com/blog/hyperlexia-in-adults

I'm wondering if an ability to be incredibly articulate in writing helps mask verbal communication problems?

Parents
  • I can relate to this quite a lot - very good at remembering numberplates (a fascination with foreign numberplates too....I'm often driving along and spot an interesting/rare plate from abroad coming the other way - and my Mum will say "how on earth did you spot that while driving?") - and definitely prefer written communication. I'm more articulate in writing, and can process written information more effectively. Verbal communication goes in one ear, and out the other.

    Nice to be able to put a name to it - Thanks!

Reply
  • I can relate to this quite a lot - very good at remembering numberplates (a fascination with foreign numberplates too....I'm often driving along and spot an interesting/rare plate from abroad coming the other way - and my Mum will say "how on earth did you spot that while driving?") - and definitely prefer written communication. I'm more articulate in writing, and can process written information more effectively. Verbal communication goes in one ear, and out the other.

    Nice to be able to put a name to it - Thanks!

Children
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