How Common is Hyperlexia? A Look at What the Research Says

How common is hyperlexia? Is hyperlexia rare? Well, let's take a closer look at how common hyperlexia is, based on research.

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Your child has hyperlexia.

That's what the diagnosis paper - yes, singular paper - said as the assessment team shoved me out the door.

I zipped home as quick as I could, tricky considering it was rush hour. I was so eager to consume all the information I could about this new-to-me term.

I start typing furiously into Google, h-y-p-e-r-l-e-x-i-a, as soon as I get home.

And that's when I learned how scarce the information on hyperlexia actually was.

I mean, how often do you type something into Google and get basically no information in return?

That was my reality that day.

I am sure the search results are exponentially greater than what it was when I first searched the word in late 2014...

Regardless, the information is scarce because the diagnosis is rare. Hardly anyone has heard of hyperlexia, even the almighty Google, but just how rare is hyperlexia?

Well, it's time to get nerdy and dig into the research so we can answer the question that's on your mind: how common is hyperlexia?

What is Hyperlexia?

Quickly defined, hyperlexia is a syndrome characterized by the following:

• A precocious, self-taught ability to read words well above age level

• A significant difficulty understanding and using verbal language

• Significant difficulties with social interactions

These resources will help you dig deeper into defining hyperlexia and what hyperlexia means, if you need to familiarize yourself with the diagnosis first:

• Free Hyperlexia Handbook

• What is Hyperlexia?

• Signs of Hyperlexia

• Hyperlexia Diagnosis Process

Is Hyperlexia Rare?

The prevalence of hyperlexia in the general population is unknown. There is no information available on this particular topic at the moment, as Ostrolenk et al. (2017) have pointed out.

However, a few studies have tried to pinpoint how common hyperlexia is in pervasive developmental disorders and autism populations.

Estimates based on these populations range from 5-20%.

The problem is, each study used slightly different definitions of hyperlexia, which makes it trickier to give an accurate prevalence rate.

I think it's safe to say that hyperlexia isn't that common.

I mean I've already mentioned that I personally think it's rare, which is why most people have never heard of hyperlexia in the first place...

A Closer Look at How Common Hyperlexia Is

Here is an overview of the different estimates that have been published in research journals:

• Grigorenko et al. (2002) - estimate that the rate of developmental hyperlexia is 5-20%, but they used a really vague definition of hyperlexia

• Burd et al. (1985) - estimate that the co-occurrence of hyperlexia in autistic children is 6.6%

• Jones et al. (2009) via Ostrolenk et al. (2017) - estimate the rate is 14.1%, but use less strict criteria for their definition of hyperlexia

I usually just summarize the stats above and say that anywhere from 5-10% of autistic children are believed to be hyperlexic.

Is Hyperlexia More Common in Boys or in Girls?

Interestingly, there is no evidence of significant gender differences in the prevalence of hyperlexia (Grigorenko et al., 2002).

Sources Referenced in this Article

• Hyperlexia: Systematic review, neurocognitive modelling, and outcome by Ostrolenk et al. (2017)

• A brief updated examination of the enigma of hyperlexia by Mui Hoon Ng (2013)

• A descriptive study of hyperlexia in a clinically referred sample of children with developmental delays by Grigorenko (2002)

• Inquiry into the incidence of hyperlexia in a statewide population of children with pervasive developmental disorder by Burd et al. (1985)

Category: Hyperlexia

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Free Printable Tree Grounding Technique for Kids

Looking for simple grounding techniques to help kids with anxiety? Try this tree grounding exercise. It comes with a free printable poster!

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As the boys get older, we have been introducing family meditation time, worry time, and mindfulness techniques to build their coping skills toolbox and to help them deal with their anxiety (especially J's).

That includes things like practicing deep breathing exercises and learning different grounding exercises.

One grounding technique that we have been trying is this "be a tree" grounding exercise, where we simply pretend to be tall, strong trees.

I've included a free printable version of this tree grounding meditation technique for the kids who benefit from visual supports, like my son J does.

Ready to learn this simple technique?

How to Do this Simple Tree Grounding Exercise

This grounding technique for kids is all about pretending to be a firmly planted tree.

While you can find lots of variations of this tree grounding exercises, we have adapted and developed this particular version and wording to fit our needs.

Our version goes as follows:

• I am a strong tree.

• I stand shoulder width apart from my feet firmly planted like roots of a tree.

• I keep my body tall and straight like the trunk of a tree.

• I place my arms out or above my head like the branches of a tree.

• I breathe in and out slowly like the wind and gently sway my arms.

You can either read the prompts from the poster out loud to your child (although you might want to switch the wording to say you instead of I) or have your child repeat or say the phrases themselves.

Download the Free Printable Grounding Technique Poster

This one page printable acts as a visual reminder to help guide your child through the "be a tree" grounding technique outlined above. It features a colorful clipart image with a girl, a cat, and a tree and has written instructions for this grounding exercise.

It would be a great addition to a calm down corner! I highly recommend laminating for durability.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Cinnamon Soap Foam Sensory Play

This cinnamon soap foam sensory play recipe makes for a great base for a construction sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers.

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Of all the soap foam sensory bins that we have made and played with over the years, I think my favorite might be this cinnamon one.

Not only does this sensory bin smell amazing, but the cinnamon gives the soap foam a really unique texture and look. It almost looks like sand, making it a great sensory bin filler for construction themed sensory bins.

So, if you're looking to switch things up and try something new, this cinnamon soap foam sensory play activity might be just what you need. You can let kids explore it on its own or pair it with some vehicles - anything goes!

Cinnamon Soap Foam Sensory Play Activity: What You'll Need

This sensory bin comes together super quick and smells delicious (although please don't eat it). Here's what you'll need to recreate it yourself:

• Soap foam - Made from mixing liquid soap with a splash of water and whipped until bubbly and foaming.

• Ground cinnamon - Add a few sprinkles and mix it up. Continue to add more cinnamon until the soap foam looks a bit like dirt. How much you use will depend on how much soap foam you make.

• Construction trucks and/or tractor toys (something like these would work great) - Optional, but fun.

To make the soap foam, simply combine liquid hand soap with a splash of water and mix thoroughly using a hand mixer, electric mixer, or stand mixer. Whip until foamy and bubbly. Then add a generous amount of cinnamon and mix until well incorporated.

Alternatively, you can use a foaming hand soap dispenser to make soap foam and then add the cinnamon afterwards. My boys like this method because they like to pump the soap dispenser. However, this method usually takes a bit longer to fill your sensory bin container, especially if you are using a large container.

Since the cinnamon soap foam ends up looking like fluffy dirt or sand, I decided to pair it with some tractors and a construction truck. After all, I really think that this soap foam would be a great base for a construction themed sensory bin.

A Simple Construction Sensory Bin Idea with Cinnamon Soap Foam "Dirt"

Both of my boys really enjoyed the addition of tractors to the sensory bin. They especially loved driving the tractors through the soap foam so that their wheels would get all dirty.

And they also loved "washing" the tractors with the soap foam (their words, obviously). But considering the base of this sensory bin is soap, the vehicles are sort of getting cleaned...right?

Speaking of cleaning, here's an easy clean up tip for this sensory bin. Keep a bucket of clean water and a towel handy so that kids can clean their hands (or toys!) along the way. I also like to use a shower curtain underneath all of our sensory bins to help contain the mess. Then you can toss the shower curtain into the washing machine for easy clean up!

Overall, this cinnamon soap foam sensory play activity was a huge hit. It smelled amazing and was tons of fun for both of my boys.

Free Printable Alphabet Grounding Technique for Kids

Looking for grounding techniques? Try this alphabet grounding technique that's perfect for kids with hyperlexia who are obsessed with letters.

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If you have a hyperlexic child, then you likely already know how calming the alphabet can be for your child. These kids frequently stim with alphabet toys as a way to self-regulate and cope.

So naturally, it makes sense to use their special interest and passion as a way to teach mindfulness and self-regulation skills.

The result?

This free printable ABC grounding technique for kids.

About the Free Printable ABC Grounding Technique for Kids

This one page printable outlines a simple grounding technique using the alphabet.

In this technique, the child looks around them to identify and name objects that they can see and hear that start with each letter of the alphabet (or as many letters of the alphabet as possible before they feel calm and grounded). They don't have to go in the order of the alphabet (unless, of course, they want to).

You could also laminate this printable and then encourage your child to cross off each letter with a dry erase marker as they name something that starts with that letter.

Download the Free Alphabet Grounding Technique Poster

This one page printable features 26 bright and colorful letters, as well as instructions for how to do the grounding technique. I highly recommend laminating for durability.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

How to Make an Occupational Therapy at Home Activity Jar for Kids

Looking for inspiration on how to do occupational therapy at home with kids? You'll love this activity jar filled with occupational therapy and sensory integration activities and ideas.

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Before my oldest son J started kindergarten, we started doing some occupational therapy activities at home with him, incorporating them into his morning routine. 

We already had the making of an epic sensory gym in our basement and I knew that he would need help making the transition to school so I figured making him a little therapy activity jar would be incredibly helpful for him.

With just a few simple materials and the help of the kids, I put together this occupational therapy at home activity jar that's filled with gross motor activities, heavy work proprioceptive activities, and ideas to stimulate the vestibular sensory system.

This idea is perfect for all kids, but especially those with autism and/or sensory processing issues who need some extra support for their sensory needs.

How to Make an Occupational Therapy at Home Activity Jar for Kids

To make this activity jar, you'll need:

• Jumbo wood craft sticks

• Permanent marker

• Mason jar

• Ribbon (optional)

It's pretty straightforward to make. Simply write one activity on each craft stick, put them in a jar, and voila! Done!

A List of Occupational Therapy Activities to Put into Your Child's Activity Jar

As for the activities, here is what is included in our jar:

• Obstacle course

• Play catch

• Climb the slide

• Bean bag toss

• Jump on mini trampoline

• Swinging - We have a variety of swings indoors and outdoors, including our DIY sensory swing and homemade taco sensory swing.

• Ride balance bike - We have this one, but in a different design.

• Spin on the office chair - J can spin and never get dizzy so we often find him doing this activity on his own.

• Animal walks - Crawl like a crab, slither on the ground like a snack, etc.

• Hopper ball

• Balance board - We just put a piece of scrap wood on a pool noodle. It works great!

• Wheelbarrow walk - I hold their ankles and they have to walk using their hands.

• Parachute - Remember our homemade play parachute?

• Pillow sandwich - The boys lay on their back. Then I put a large pillow on their body (it never covers their face) and then I lay on top of it.

• Yoga

• Sit on exercise ball

• Big ball roll - The boys lay on their back. Then I roll a large exercise ball on their body, starting at their ankles and rolling up to their shoulders.

• Sensory tunnel - I made my own (tutorial here). There are many, many, many activities that can be done with it!

• Play with our homemade stretchy resistance bands

• Jump and crash into our DIY no sew crash mat

So when it's time to do OT, the boys each pick a stick or two from the jar for us to try. Of course, you can modify your jar to include anything you want, fine motor, gross motor, vestibular, etc.

Need More OT Exercises & Ideas to Put into Your Jar? Try these!

There are tons of printables and sensory diet resources available here to help you pick the right activities to include in your activity jar.

• 12 Animal Walks for Kids

• Heavy Work Activities to do at Home

• 50 Heavy Work Activities for Kids

• 50 Sensory Diet Activities for Kids

• Outdoor Winter Heavy Work Activities

• 600+ Everyday Sensory Play Ideas

Other Ideas You'll Love

Homemade Stretchy Resistance Bands

Homemade Taco Sensory Swing

Printable Mini Sensory Diet Cards

35 Creative Shaving Cream Activities for Kids

Looking for shaving cream activities for autism? Try one of these creative hands-on shaving cream sensory play ideas for kids of all ages!

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Shaving cream is a great sensory material to play with and it's super easy to clean up too, which is always a nice perk, right? It simply just washes away.

Shaving cream is also versatile. You can swirl it, color it, build with it, draw in it, decorate with it, go down a slide super quick with it (yes, I'm really going to go there!)...the possibilities are endless!

Well, these 35 shaving cream activities for kids below will show you how versatile and fun shaving cream is to play with. These sensory activities are completely hands-on, although a wee bit messy (not going to sugar coat that one bit). But, they're totally worth the mess because they're super fun!

Now, if you are concerned that your child might taste or mouth the shaving cream, then remember you can always used whipped cream as a substitute.

Shaving Cream Sensory Play Ideas

Simple sensory bins and sensory play ideas using, yep, shaving cream. Many of these ideas work on fine motor skills and others will encourage kids to explore other textures, but all are 100% fun!

1. Shaving Cream Dot to Dot on the Light Table (pictured below)

2. Simple Shaving Cream Sensory Bin from My Bored Toddler

3. Sticky Shaving Cream Sensory Play from Fantastic Fun & Learning

4. Shaving Cream & Bubble Wrap Sensory Play from Picklebums (pictured)

5. Frozen Shaving Cream Sensory Bin from Learn Play Imagine (pictured)

6. Shaving Cream & LEGO Sensory Play from Toddler Approved (pictured in some older Pinterest images)

7. Rainbow Noodles & Cloud Sensory Play from A Little Pinch of Perfect

8. Rock Washing Shaving Cream Sensory Bin from Happy Toddler Playtime

9. Shaving Cream & Pool Noodles Sensory Bin from Simple Everyday Mom

10. Shaving Cream Sensory Soup from Living Life & Learning

11. Shaving Cream & Water Beads Sensory Bin from 3 Dinosaurs

12. Shaving Cream Connect the Dots from School Time Snippets

13. Toddler Rainbow Sensory Play from Fun at Home with Kids

Shaving Cream Sensory Play Dough Recipes

Try these fun play dough alternatives that use shaving cream as one of the main ingredients. They're tons of fun to play with and super easy to make!

1. Sand Foam Dough Shaving Cream Sensory Play (pictured below)

2. Rainbow Foam Dough from Fun at Home with Kids

3. How to Make Homemade Snow from The Joys of Boys

Pretend Play Shaving Cream Sensory Activities

Let them get creative with a bit of pretend play because these fun shaving cream sensory play ideas will certainly spark your children's imaginations!

1. Lemon Meringue Pie Pretend Play (pictured below)

2. Dragon Small World Sensory Bin from Fun at Home with Kids

3. Shaving Cream Cake Decorating Pretend Play from Hands-On Teaching Ideas

4. Construction Site Shaving Cream Sensory Table from Preschool Powol Packets

Shaving Cream Sensory Art Ideas

Sensory art ideas using shaving cream (just like that header above suggests).

1. Tape Resist Mirror Painting - We used expired whipping cream for this, but you can use shaving cream instead. (pictured below)

2. Shaving Cream Finger Paint from Fun at Home with Kids

3. Puffy Planets Shaving Cream Sensory Craft from Thimble & Twig

4. Rainbow Shaving Cream Marbled Sensory Art from Hello, Wonderful

5. Shaving Cream Painting from Fun with Mama

STEM & Literacy Shaving Cream Sensory Activities

These fun ideas using shaving cream to practice building skills in literacy, math, handwriting, and STEM. Your kids will explore and learn the alphabet, work on subtraction, and more with these amazing ideas!

1. Alphabet Ice & Shaving Cream Sensory Bin from Learning 4 Kids

2. Shaving Cream Letter Recognition Sensory Bin from Little Bins for Little Hands

3. Writing in Shaving Cream from Meaningful Mama

4. I Spy Letter Shaving Cream Sensory Bag from Teach Me Mommy

5. Shaving Cream Window Writing from Modern Preschool

6. Shaving Cream & Blocks from No Time for Flash Cards

7. Shaving Cream Subtraction Smash from School Time Snippets

Messy Shaving Cream Sensory Activities to do Outdoors!

You'll definitely want to head outdoors for these full-body sensory activities using shaving cream because these ideas are super messy! But clean up is a breeze: just hose the kids off when they're all done playing.

1. Giant Colored Shaving Cream Rainbow (pictured above and below)

2. Shaving Cream Twister from Lou Lou Girls

3. Shaving Cream Battle from Fireflies & Mudpies

Other Sensory Play Resources You'll Love

Sensory Play Guide: How to Dye Sensory Materials

Sensory Play Tips

130+ Sensory Bin Fillers with Free Printable List

The Best Number & Math Sensory Bins for Kids Who Love Numbers

Math sensory bin ideas for kids that love numbers and math! If your child has a fascination with numbers, and/or is hyperlexic, then they'll love these math sensory activities!

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My oldest son J was (and still is!) quite passionate about anything involving numbers and math.

He was a two year old toddler obsessed with numbers so it wasn't surprising that he was identified with hypernumeracy.

I mean the kid lived and breathed numbers as a toddler. (And still does).

Over the years, we've done a lot of math related activities, including lots of number themed and math sensory bin ideas like the ones below.

So whether you want to introduce numbers to your child or you simply just want to follow your child's passion and interest in math, you're going to love these simple math sensory activities!

10+ Math Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids Obsessed with Numbers

Below you will find 14+ awesome math sensory bins that will be perfect for kids, just like my son, who are obsessed with math and numbers.

1. Number Sensory Bin with Water (pictured)

2. Two Simple Sensory Bins with Invisible Numbers

3. Bugs by the Numbers Inspired Sensory Bin

4. Kinetic Sand Math Sensory Bin Activity

5. Numbers & Counting Sensory Bin from For the Love of Learning (pictured)

6. Number Hunt Math Sensory Bin from Busy Toddler (pictured)

7. Math Sensory Bin with Dominoes from Happy Toddler Playtime

8. Three Number Sensory Bins Inspired by Chicka Chicka 1,2,3 from Mrs. Plemon's Kindergarten

9. Seashell Math Sensory Bin from Preschool Powol Packets (pictured)

10. Number Recognition Sensory Bin from My Mundane & Miraculous Life

11. Shaving Cream Number Hunt & Match Sensory Bin from Happy Toddler Playtime

12. Magnetic Number Hunt Sensory Bin from Creative Outlet for Little Hands

13. Pool Noodle Math Sensory Bin from Thinking & Learning in Room 122

14. Gardening for Math Sensory Bin with Printable from From ABCs to ACTs