Have you ever noticed your hyperlexic child writing letters and words in the air with their finger before?
Well, it seems this air writing is quite common among hyperlexics, which is something that I've discussed before. I've even referred to it as a missing trait of hyperlexia, meaning it's a trait that you won't find on the list of official characteristics or signs of hyperlexia, but it seems so common that I feel like it should be included on the list.
Anyway, someone recently reached out to me to learn more about this air writing and what it means. They wanted to better understand why their child did it and whether or not it was something that should be encouraged or discouraged.
So let's take a closer look at this whole hyperlexia air writing thing and learn more about what it is and the reasons why they do it (and why it's beneficial). I've also answered a few commonly asked questions about writing in the air.
So, What is Air Writing Exactly?
Basically, imagine your finger is an invisible pen that you use to write in the air. That's air writing. It's when you use your finger to "write" words or letters in the air. It is often done unconsciously or automatically by hyperlexic learners.
Now, while it's often written in the air, as the name implies, it can also be written on a surface like a table or even on their body such as their palm or upper leg. I've even had hyperlexic adults share with me that their air writing sometimes takes the form of air typing, where they're typing on an invisible keyboard, or they might do air writing using their toes so it's more discreet.
If you watch your hyperlexic learner closely, you can actually see them writing letters and/or complete words in the air as if they were writing it down on paper. You might be able to tell what words they are writing. I know that I always could with my son (and sometimes I'd write back)! You'll also discover that this air writing isn't random scribbling or drawing. They are usually writing something specific.
It's worth pointing out that, if your hyperlexic learner also has hypernumeracy, then their air writing might take the form of numbers and math problems instead of letters and words. I've even had parents tell me that their child's air writing takes the form of writing music notes. But, most of the time, for hyperlexic learners, it's letters and words.
Why Your Hyperlexic Child Could Be Air Writing
So, why do hyperlexic learners do air writing? And why is it beneficial? Well, there are a few explanations...
1. Self-Regulation Tool
Air writing is often used as a tool for self-regulation (aka as a stim or self-stimulatory behavior). That means, writing letters and words in the air can be a coping strategy as it is calming and soothing for hyperlexic learners. So, it's important to note that you might notice an increase in air writing whenever they're excited, overwhelmed, or feeling anxious.
2. Language Processing Strategy
Air writing can also be used as a strategy for processing language. They may use it to rehearse familiar phrases, decode new words, or silently script what they want to say, especially given that they're gestalt language processors. In other words, they might be using air writing to compose or organize language before verbalizing.
3. Visual Learning & Comprehension
Hyperlexic learners are strong visual learners and air writing is a great way to visualize language and improve comprehension. Writing in the air with their finger can help them see the words they hear or want to say.
Remember, with hyperlexia, if it isn't written down, it might not exist. In that sense, air writing can be used as a tool to help them "write it down" and see the words they are hearing, improving recall and comprehension.
4. Provides Stability
Air writing can also provide stability. And we know that hyperlexic learners have a strong preference for stable routines and predictable structures.
As the following quote from the book The Reason I Jump illustrates, letters and symbols are comforting because they never change, providing these learners with a way to feel grounded when everything around them might feel unpredictable or uncertain. Naoki writes:
"People with autism often write letters in the air...In my case, I'm writing to confirm what I want to remember. As I write, I'm recalling what I've seen - not as scenes, but as letters, signs and symbols. Letters, symbols and signs are my closest allies because they never change...When I'm writing them out, I can forget everything else." - Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump
So, in a way, air writing creates a sense of stability when everything else feels uncertain or overwhelming because letters, signs, and symbols themselves are always consistent. They never change.
Should Air Writing Be Encouraged or Discouraged?
As you can see, air writing is beneficial for hyperlexic learners for a variety of reasons. So, it's something that should definitely be encouraged, not discouraged. After all, it's a helpful (and harmless!) strategy that hyperlexic learners use to make sense of the world around them
In other words, air writing needs to be respected as a tool that supports language, communication, and regulation for these types of learners.
However, if it seems to increase in frequency or begins to interfere with daily functioning, it might be a sign that something else is going on. For instance, are there any changes at school, at home, etc. that might be causing an increase in anxiety, stress, or sensory dysregulation? In this case, you should be observing when the child uses it and look for patterns to see if you can find out what might be causing a sharp increase in using air writing.
Other people such as family, friends, teachers, therapists, etc. might misunderstand your hyperlexic learner's air writing and try to discourage or redirect it. In these instances, you can offer simple explanations for why your child finds air writing comforting and helpful and why it's something that should be encouraged rather than squashed or redirected.
Does Air Writing Go Away with Age?
This is a common question that parents ask me about air writing. And the answer is...sort of. It really depends on a few factors.
Air writing tends to be especially common in younger hyperlexic children (like those under age 8-10ish). During these years, it's often much more visible and frequent.
However, as language and communication skills improve, and as they develop other ways to regulate and process information, many hyperlexic children begin to rely on air writing less often. That doesn't mean it disappears completely though. It may just show up differently or less frequently. And it's not unusual for air writing to resurface during times of stress, excitement, or overwhelm.
It's also worth noting that sometimes air writing evolves and changes. For example, it might become more discreet (e.g., writing on their palm instead of writing big letters in the air) or it might take another form (e.g., air writing with their toes). There are a few reasons why this shift happens, ranging from years of therapy that tried to discourage or suppress it, social awareness or masking (i.e., they don't want to stand out), motor development (i.e., they can make their air writing smaller and more precise), development of alternative strategies (i.e., they might just write things down physically in a notebook instead), and environmental expectations.
So, yes, you might see it decrease with age. Or it might take more discreet forms or get replaced by alternative coping strategies.
A Summary of Air Writing in Hyperlexia
Here's a quick recap of what was discussed above regarding hyperlexia and air writing:
- Air writing is when you use your finger to "write" words or letters in the air.
- It can be used to support regulation, language processing, and comprehension, while also providing stability.
- It's something that should be respected for what it is and encouraged as it's a helpful and harmless strategy for hyperlexic learners.
- You might notice an increase in air writing (or a return to, if the child is older) when the child feels overwhelmed, anxious, or excited.
- Air writing is especially common in younger hyperlexic children and can decrease with age, but sometimes it just changes form, gets replaced by other coping strategies, or becomes more discreet. It may also resurface during times of stress, excitement, or overwhelm.
And that's what you need to know about hyperlexia air writing.
