Inquiry into the Incidence of Hyperlexia in a Statewide Population of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Abstract

Hyperlexia is a condition occurring in a group of children who traditionally have been described as having word-recognition reading skills which far exceed their other language and cognitive abilities. The incidence of this particular skill in a group of children with pervasive developmental disorders had not previously been documented. In the state of North Dakota 68 children who meet DSM-III criteria for pervasive developmental disorders (including autism) have been identified. Four of these children show hyperlexia. This computes to a prevalence rate of 6.6% of school-aged children with pervasive developmental disorders.