When Babies Read

Audra K. Jensen' son began reading when he was only two years old. She shares her experiences – both the challenges and joys – of raising a child with autism and hyperlexia – an early and obsessive interest in the written word associated with social deficits and significant difficulty in understanding verbal language. The author stresses the importance of diagnosis of the condition for successful implementation of effective teaching strategies and encouragement of more typical childhood development. As well as useful advice, this guide provides a comprehensive reading curriculum specially designed for young, challenged children to help promote their reading ability. When Babies Read also offers practical suggestions on how to modify teaching and therapy programmes to suit a child's individual learning style, how to create and use social stories with the hyperlexic child, and how to obtain an appropriate education for the hyperlexic child. A chapter dedicated to the older child with hyperlexia includes strategies for dealing with entrenched behaviours and attitudes.This practical guide will prove invaluable for parents of children with autism and hyperlexia.