Hyperlexia in Spanish-speaking children: Report of 2 cases from Colombia, South America Academic Article

journal

  • Journal of the Neurological Sciences

abstract

  • Hyperlexia is a condition rarely reported in Spanish-speaking children, characterized by the ability to recognize written words without formal training. We present two unrelated autistic children with hyperlexia from Colombia (South America) who were followed for 8 years with formal neuropsychological evaluations of language, motor skills, visual perception, attention and behavior. Both children taught themselves to read before 5 years of age but showed minimal comprehension; both displayed obsessional reading and difficulties in social skills and attention. Brain CT scans were normal. Hyperlexia has been associated with hyperactivation of the left superior temporal cortex; we conclude that the orthographic route is a probable mechanism for the development of hyperlexia. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • 2006-11-1

keywords

  • Aptitude
  • Brain
  • Child
  • Colombia
  • Hyperlexia
  • Language
  • Motor Skills
  • Reading
  • Social Skills
  • South America
  • Temporal Lobe
  • Visual Perception

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0022-510X

number of pages

  • 7

start page

  • 39

end page

  • 45