If your child spontaneously started reading, is absolutely obsessed with letters and numbers, and reads every license plate you walk past...
...you're in the right place!
If you're here, you might be feeling...
- Relieved that you finally found the word hyperlexia
- Frustrated that doctors, teachers, and therapists have no idea what you're talking about (or treat it like an asterisk they ignore)
- Worried about what's "normal," what to do next, or how to support them
- Tired of advocating to people who won't listen or don't understand
And for maybe the first time ever, you can say all of this to someone who isn't even batting an eyelash because everything you've described is something I've heard and lived before. I see your child and I see you.
You're not imagining it.
And you're not alone in this.
What Parents Tell Me Again & Again...
If you're anything like most parents who land here, you've probably been googling nonstop, trying to understand how your two-year-old can read and why they know their letters and numbers (and you didn't teach these to them).
Then there's the intense interest in letters, the spelling things like Pixar or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and even arranging letters like a QWERTY keyboard or setting them up exactly the same as what's in the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book.
Yet, nothing has quite fit until you literally heard the word hyperlexia from Instagram (or right here on this blog!). Then suddenly everything you see and read about hyperlexia describes your little one perfectly. And now you're asking the same thing so many parents do: what now?
I Can Help You Make Sense of Hyperlexia
I'm Dyan (she/her), which is pronounced like Diane, and I help parents of self-taught early readers make sense of hyperlexia when no one else has heard of it so they can support their child using their child's strengths and interests.
Why I'm the Go-To Resource for Hyperlexia
First and foremost, I am a mom of a hyperlexic, autistic child (with hypernumeracy, ADHD, and sensory seeking needs!) who, once upon a time, was trying to find something that described what we were seeing and experiencing with my son.
When I first googled hyperlexia in late 2014 after his autism assessment, I was disappointed by how little information and support existed. Sure, I finally had a name for what I was seeing, but there was nothing out there to actually help me support him.
That was the moment I knew I had to help fill that gap because I never wanted another parent to feel as alone or unsupported as I did that day.
For over 10 years now, I've been helping families, educators, and professionals around the world better understand and support hyperlexic kids. What I teach and share comes from a blend of lived experience, deep research, and years of sharing practical, strengths-based strategies that actually work.
I also have a BAH in Psychology, graduating with high honours, and have always loved learning about how the brain works. (I even dreamed of being a clinical neuropsychologist!) That academic background helps me break down the research into clear, accessible information for families.
I also have a strong music background, which surprisingly connects to hyperlexia more than you'd think, especially when it comes to pattern recognition, rhythm, pitch, and gestalt language processing. I taught piano for years and hold an ATCL diploma (Recital for Solo Piano), an RCM Grade 10 Piano certificate, and an RCM History & Theory: Intermediate certificate.
It's this blend of lived experience, research, psychology, and music that shapes my approach. It helps me see hyperlexic kids in a way many professionals miss.
Today, my work is used by thousands of families and professionals worldwide. And everything I share now is what I wish I had back then.
Start Here: Your First Steps
Most parents tell me they don't know where to begin and wished everything was in one place. These are the steps they wish they'd found sooner.
Stories From Parents Like You
So, What Brings You Here?
This website is for anyone supporting a neurodivergent learner, especially hyperlexic ones. Parents, educators, caregivers, and neurodivergent individuals are all welcome here. Pick the statement that best describes you.
What I Believe
My approach is simple:
- Hyperlexia is a core part of who your child is and how they learn.
- Their strengths and interests are the keys to supporting language, learning, and connection.
- You know your child best so trust your instincts.
- A child-led, strengths-based approach helps them thrive as who they are.
- My guidance comes from lived experience, deep research, and years of supporting families.
The ABCs of And Next Comes L (aka My Core Values)
For a website about a hyperlexia, it makes sense to lean into the whole letter theme, right? Well, that's why our core values are ABC themed.
🧠Acceptance & inclusion
- Neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approach
- Using identity-first language as much as possible*
- Prioritizing diversity and considering intersectionality to ensure that every family feels represented and that every child is embraced for who they are
- Sharing positive narratives and imagery
- Challenging stereotypes and myths
- Providing information that helps you better understand, support, and advocate for neurodivergent learners
- Encouraging authenticity by following the child's lead, embracing their interests, and leaning into their strengths
💛 Belonging & community
- Helping you feel less alone and connecting with others who get it
- Believing you when you say that your toddler can read (because I know not everyone else does!)
- Creating resources that I wish I had when I first learned about hyperlexia
- Empowering parents, professionals, teachers, and neurodivergent individuals
- Offering supportive services for every stage of your journey
- Creating a community of parents, professionals, and teachers who work together to support hyperlexic learners
- Sharing plenty of free and affordable options for supporting you in your journey
📚 Curiosity & education
- Encouraging continuous learning and unlearning
- Helping connect the dots by getting curious, digging deeper, and trying new things
- Providing educational activities and resources
- Breaking down complex topics into easy to understand and digestible content
- Sharing practical resources and ideas that are informed by the research
- Offering a comprehensive range of resources to support the whole learner
- Willing to make mistakes and grow from them (we all gotta start somewhere, right?)
*Some posts might use person-first language for search engine optimization purposes and to show my growth and development as I've learned and unlearned things over the years. Remember, we're all about learning around here.
Podcasts, Interviews, & Publications
A look at the podcasts, interviews, and publications where I've shared my work on hyperlexia.
Or, if you'd prefer, a couple of the above interviews are available in video format as well.
I also wrote an article about hyperlexia titled My Baby Can Read, published in Homeschool with HSLDA Fall 2015 (Volume 2, Number 1). My work has also been referenced in a published book on gestalt language processing.
In Case You Were Wondering...Why the Name And Next Comes L?
I know, I know...And Next Comes L is an unusual name. Maybe the L stands for learning. Maybe it stands for letters because, you know, hyperlexia. Or maybe it's because people have been adding a random L to my name forever (although I've also had everything from Duan to Dryan at this point).
Anyway, the real story behind the name can be found here.
Unique names aside...hyperlexia is our focus here.
Even the logo looks like something a hyperlexic toddler would spell out on the floor with magnetic letters. And, if you're a hyperlexia parent, you probably own the exact same set.
Just don't misplace any of those letters...I mean I'm still searching for a big green L that's been missing from my son's favorite set of ABC toys for about 10+ years now...
Seriously, what is it about the letter L and me?!
