Wondering

Over the past week, we’ve really come to realize a lot more about Knox. For example, not only did he recognize the letters in his own name, we realized that he actually knows ALL of his letters and will also tell us the sounds they make. He has pretty remarkable memorization abilities, and is trying so, so hard to say more. He sings the ABCs all the time, it’s hilarious, if you ask him what a letter is, “K” for example, He’ll say “K!… L, M, N, O, P” and sing the rest of the song! He is dancing more to music and can recite almost all of his bed time stories, if we pause for him to fill in the blanks as we read.

I mentioned this to my friend from church that works with autistic kids and used to do early intervention, and she said it sounded hyperlexic. I had never heard that term before, so I did some research. I was absolutely blown away at how much the description sounded like Knox. Here are some characteristics of Hyperlexia, Type III, which sounds JUST like him:

-These children also read early, often show striking memorization abilities, and sometimes have precocious abilities in other areas as well (yep)

-For example, they may show unusual sensory sensitivity (he does seem to seek sensory input and we’re working with an OT on that)

-Unlike children with Autistic Disorder, they are often very outgoing and affectionate with family, but reserved and distant with peers and would be playmates. They do tend to make eye contact and can be very interactive with persons close to them. (This is exactly Knox and a major reason why I keep questioning an Autism/ PDD-NOS diagnosis… not that we have one, yet, but that is what we’re wondering about)

- There may be fascination with, or intense insistence on, routine and resistance to change (no)

- These children seem quite bright, inquisitive and precocious in some areas overall. Interest in, and mastery of, reading coupled with memory powers memorization is conspicuous and often quite amazing (yes)

- There may other “autistic-like” symptoms or behaviors as well. But these symptoms and behaviors, prognosis ultimately shows, are indeed “autistic-like” and are not Autistic Disorder as such. Over time the autistic behaviors and symptoms fade and, as it turns out, these children then are quite normal (neurotypical) for their age. These are children who “outgrow” their autism, or, more accurately in my view, did not have Autistic Disorder or any of its variants to begin with. The prognosis for these children excellent and I have followed now a number of such cases via correspondence where the outcome has been just that—excellent. (Really, really hoping this is the case!)

This info all came from HERE, and I’ve been looking in other places for more information, as well. I called and talked to his speech therapist this morning, and she was very intrigued and is seeking more details about this and will get back to me. Knox has an evaluation with an Autism specialist group on August 7, so I would greatly appreciate a lot of prayer about this particular day. It’s going to be a long day (9:30 to 2:30) but we should, thankfully, hear results from the evaluation that same day. Of course, my fervent prayer is that he NOT have Autism at all, rather just a delay that will be overcome in time with therapy and attention. He is such a sweet, kind and amazing little guy, and he really does hold my whole heart in his tiny hand. I’m trying to make sense of all of this stuff and be optimistic for him and a great outcome. Will you please be in prayer for Knox? Thank you, guys!!

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