Hyperlexia is often misread as a sign of instant comprehension—but for many, it masks hidden struggles with communication, connection, and workplace survival..
Ah yes, the weird sayings! I am sure you have this already (so please excuse me if this reads like I’m being ‘annoyingly helpful’ or this is not required) but from the best of my ability, the ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ saying refers to not waking a dog suddenly in case it attacks you. Meaning, it’s perceived as safer or better that some things should be left alone and not addressed in case it makes the situation worse by your act.
Now there was another one you mentioned, and my sieve-like brain has forgotten but please ask if you want me to take a stab at the other one!
Very insightful, and also reassuring! I wasn't familiar with the term hyperlexia, but your experiences resonated strongly. It's so nice to encounter those "Oh hey, people like me!" moments, and this bilingual autist definitely had one just now reading the article and comments. Really helps with the ole sense of existential dread!
Thank you so much for this. This is the first I’ve read such an article on what is my biggest struggle. I’m in total awe and tearing up. I’m curious if you relate to “word agnosia”. When I’ve had hearing tests, I’ve had it pointed out every time that I have a delay with speech comprehension as opposed to hearing non-word sounds. I was diagnosed by neurologists as right brain language lateralized and abnormal sequencing. When I map what is going on with me with speech, it goes immediately to either gestalt worlds or visual math for analysis, waveforms, and set theory. Hard to explain. I want this theorized so badly. I’m looking forward to being able to really go through your content. Thank you for what you are doing and sharing.
Great writing Lovette , thank you. I came off social media many years ago as I didn’t feel safe, and noticed how hyper reactionary it was. I saw people falling out and knew it wasn’t working, had a feeling 2016 Brexit and election results were fuelled by fb. My own thoughts is that we were born crying, not texting (although I fully appreciate this may not have been the case for some, the sentiment is very much that with verbal communication we have tone, adding a feeling component to what may seem like stark words). I call myself a slow thinker and explain this to people I engage with, and find this in itself a deeper relationship builder. It’s impossible for me to read quickly, I read out loud in my own head so that I can work out the tone things are written in, and find it easier when the writer engages in relational writing if that makes sense. Factual, ‘cold’ text and reports take me longer to read and I’m often put off. Very difficult because in my work, relatability is almost frowned upon.
I found this very insightful. When I'm reading a book for pleasure I just speed right through it, but when I'm reading for knowledge I have to force myself to slow down. I struggle to string words together in a way that expresses what I am thinking. Reading for pleasure is like watching a movie for me. I can hear tone and see non-verbal cues in my mind. Reading for knowledge doesn't have either of those things. When writing or having a verbal dialog on a deep topic, I struggle to get my thoughts out in a way that makes sense and accurately describes the ideas in my head, which are often visual. The pressure to get it out quickly makes it more difficult.
Your words were such a brain rush for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I completely understand what you mean I actually tend to read books I enjoy twice for that reason.
The first time I let myself “watch the movie” in my mind and just enjoy it.
The second time, I slow down to really sit with the language, ideas, and structure.
You’re describing something so real: when our thoughts are vivid and visual, translating them into words can feel like trying to catch moving pictures with a net.
No pressure here your reflection was already beautifully expressed.
When I was evaluated for neurodivergence (and subsequently diagnosed with ADHD), the professional who did my evaluation told me he suspected I may be hyperlexic. I mostly understood it as reading quickly and remembering things I read so I didn’t think much of it.
In fact, I’d totally forgotten about it until I got a push notification about this post. While not everything you discussed here resonates, much of it does. It feels a lot like when I learned I was neurodivergent and had a little “AHA!” moment when so many idiosyncratic tendencies of mine suddenly made sense in context. Apparently I need to try to find some resources on hyperlexia so I can learn more about it and the ways in which it affects people.
Thank you for sharing this and exactly, not everything has to resonate for it to be a meaningful “aha” moment. Hyperlexia is layered, and many of us were told it was just “reading fast” without anyone explaining the deeper processing aspects.
And you’re right a lot of these realizations mirror that first experience of learning you’re neurodivergent: suddenly so many traits that felt disconnected start making sense.
Also, fun fact: the original version of this essay was almost 5,000 words and veered pretty technical. I had to distill it down to about 1,700 words to make it accessible! 😭
For those who want to go deeper into the research and frameworks, I’ll be expanding behind the paywall on Substack too. But even a light touchpoint like this can open important doors.
Appreciate you reading and reflecting with me. 🫶🏾 hope you liked the idiom jokes 🤭
Loved the idiom jokes! They aren’t one of the things I struggle with but sarcasm can be, which I find interesting since I come from a part of the US where sarcasm is pretty prevalent.
I genuinely enjoy and appreciate your writings and insight. I’ve only found you recently but I’m so glad I did.
Okay I need you to explain what you meant with your PETA comment. I’ve been stewing it over and all I come up with is a sexual euphemism or fetuses feeding on their mothers.
I’m the perfect audience for dad jokes, honestly. I never see them coming. My friend who lives with us got me with one last night.
I NEVER get puns! Never. Straight over my head every single time. Or movie references even if we watched the movie recently.
And I wonder now if me feeling so flustered and overwhelmed when I feel like I need to respond to something quickly (social media comments, work emails, something in a chat) is tied to hyperlexia.
Ah yes, the weird sayings! I am sure you have this already (so please excuse me if this reads like I’m being ‘annoyingly helpful’ or this is not required) but from the best of my ability, the ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ saying refers to not waking a dog suddenly in case it attacks you. Meaning, it’s perceived as safer or better that some things should be left alone and not addressed in case it makes the situation worse by your act.
Now there was another one you mentioned, and my sieve-like brain has forgotten but please ask if you want me to take a stab at the other one!
Fantastic article and glad to share it.
Very insightful, and also reassuring! I wasn't familiar with the term hyperlexia, but your experiences resonated strongly. It's so nice to encounter those "Oh hey, people like me!" moments, and this bilingual autist definitely had one just now reading the article and comments. Really helps with the ole sense of existential dread!
Thank you so much for this. This is the first I’ve read such an article on what is my biggest struggle. I’m in total awe and tearing up. I’m curious if you relate to “word agnosia”. When I’ve had hearing tests, I’ve had it pointed out every time that I have a delay with speech comprehension as opposed to hearing non-word sounds. I was diagnosed by neurologists as right brain language lateralized and abnormal sequencing. When I map what is going on with me with speech, it goes immediately to either gestalt worlds or visual math for analysis, waveforms, and set theory. Hard to explain. I want this theorized so badly. I’m looking forward to being able to really go through your content. Thank you for what you are doing and sharing.
Great writing Lovette , thank you. I came off social media many years ago as I didn’t feel safe, and noticed how hyper reactionary it was. I saw people falling out and knew it wasn’t working, had a feeling 2016 Brexit and election results were fuelled by fb. My own thoughts is that we were born crying, not texting (although I fully appreciate this may not have been the case for some, the sentiment is very much that with verbal communication we have tone, adding a feeling component to what may seem like stark words). I call myself a slow thinker and explain this to people I engage with, and find this in itself a deeper relationship builder. It’s impossible for me to read quickly, I read out loud in my own head so that I can work out the tone things are written in, and find it easier when the writer engages in relational writing if that makes sense. Factual, ‘cold’ text and reports take me longer to read and I’m often put off. Very difficult because in my work, relatability is almost frowned upon.
I found this very insightful. When I'm reading a book for pleasure I just speed right through it, but when I'm reading for knowledge I have to force myself to slow down. I struggle to string words together in a way that expresses what I am thinking. Reading for pleasure is like watching a movie for me. I can hear tone and see non-verbal cues in my mind. Reading for knowledge doesn't have either of those things. When writing or having a verbal dialog on a deep topic, I struggle to get my thoughts out in a way that makes sense and accurately describes the ideas in my head, which are often visual. The pressure to get it out quickly makes it more difficult.
Your words were such a brain rush for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I completely understand what you mean I actually tend to read books I enjoy twice for that reason.
The first time I let myself “watch the movie” in my mind and just enjoy it.
The second time, I slow down to really sit with the language, ideas, and structure.
You’re describing something so real: when our thoughts are vivid and visual, translating them into words can feel like trying to catch moving pictures with a net.
No pressure here your reflection was already beautifully expressed.
Wow this is a fantastic resource! I was an early speaker too, and didn't walk early.
Well not unusual around 60% of us have motor skill issues.
As the Christians say: “The Lord giveth (speech)… and taketh away (motor skills).”
Balance, I guess. Literally.
Dont quote me they kicked me out of Sunday school for my hyperlexic reframings like the above 👆🏾
When I was evaluated for neurodivergence (and subsequently diagnosed with ADHD), the professional who did my evaluation told me he suspected I may be hyperlexic. I mostly understood it as reading quickly and remembering things I read so I didn’t think much of it.
In fact, I’d totally forgotten about it until I got a push notification about this post. While not everything you discussed here resonates, much of it does. It feels a lot like when I learned I was neurodivergent and had a little “AHA!” moment when so many idiosyncratic tendencies of mine suddenly made sense in context. Apparently I need to try to find some resources on hyperlexia so I can learn more about it and the ways in which it affects people.
Thank you for sharing this and exactly, not everything has to resonate for it to be a meaningful “aha” moment. Hyperlexia is layered, and many of us were told it was just “reading fast” without anyone explaining the deeper processing aspects.
And you’re right a lot of these realizations mirror that first experience of learning you’re neurodivergent: suddenly so many traits that felt disconnected start making sense.
Also, fun fact: the original version of this essay was almost 5,000 words and veered pretty technical. I had to distill it down to about 1,700 words to make it accessible! 😭
For those who want to go deeper into the research and frameworks, I’ll be expanding behind the paywall on Substack too. But even a light touchpoint like this can open important doors.
Appreciate you reading and reflecting with me. 🫶🏾 hope you liked the idiom jokes 🤭
Loved the idiom jokes! They aren’t one of the things I struggle with but sarcasm can be, which I find interesting since I come from a part of the US where sarcasm is pretty prevalent.
I genuinely enjoy and appreciate your writings and insight. I’ve only found you recently but I’m so glad I did.
Well, PETA actually blocked me on Twitter because of my hyperlexia—and honestly, that one was my fault.
They posted, “Everything you eat had a family,” and I (very literally) replied, “Well…we do eat people who have families consensually.”
Next thing you know, blocked for a year.
I get sarcasm sometimes not always but my dad jokes will forever be undefeated. 🤭
I’m genuinely glad to have you in my space. You’re a real breath of fresh air!
Okay I need you to explain what you meant with your PETA comment. I’ve been stewing it over and all I come up with is a sexual euphemism or fetuses feeding on their mothers.
Sexual euphemism is accurate “ate” 🙈
🤣🤣🤣 I’m both so glad I was right, find that hilarious and kind of see why they blocked you. Sadly, PETA doesn’t seem to have much of a sense of humor.
Oh thanks, you’re so sweet!
I’m the perfect audience for dad jokes, honestly. I never see them coming. My friend who lives with us got me with one last night.
I NEVER get puns! Never. Straight over my head every single time. Or movie references even if we watched the movie recently.
And I wonder now if me feeling so flustered and overwhelmed when I feel like I need to respond to something quickly (social media comments, work emails, something in a chat) is tied to hyperlexia.