My son started reading before he was 2 and was reading Harry Potter books in kindergarten. He is still a fast reader and really likes it (but it's not as all encompassing as it once was).

He is on the spectrum and is generally really bright. It was pretty remarkable when he was younger but it's kind of normalized as he's gotten older.

I just wrote a longer reply then accidentally deleted it. But wanted to say that PP's should distinguish between a precocious reader and hyperlexia. Hyperlexia is atypical development and comes with other challenges (low reading comprehension, language delays, etc.), including very high rates of autism. 17 months is too early to know how things will develop, but if the daycare teachers are saying it's unusual, OP is right to be paying attention and learning what other developmental signs to look out for. Either way, OP should be impressed and not overly worried. By 2.5 or so it should be clearer if it's hyperlexia or "regular" early reading. https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperlexia#signs

I was not familiar with hyperlexia. We just said early reader. See where it goes...he either will or will not read early!

Anonymous wrote:Our early readers like to read, are good readers, strong academically.

The studies claiming everything evens out by 2nd/3rd grade were narrowly focused children from deprived homes who were enrolled in Head Start. Those results really do NOT apply to most children.

Can you explain what you mean? Are you saying that you think early readers are more likely to be academically strong?

My observation is that once you eliminate learning disorder (specifically dyslexia) from the equation, it doesn't matter if kids learn to read at 3.5 or 7, in terms of predicting academic success. Especially since reading instruction starts earlier now than it used to -- kids now get pre literacy in preschool and phonics in kindergarten, whereas when I was a kid we sang our ABCs in kindergarten and that was it, and I was taught to read in 1st grade. Now that would be considered late, but back then that was normal and anyone who learned to read on their own before that was "early" and kids who started 2nd without basic reading skills were late.

I think that by starting reading instruction earlier, we've expanded the time that is considered "normal" to encompass ages 4.5-7, which is a really broad range.

DD was like this and taught herself to read at 3. Almost 5 now and there are pros and cons. It’s adorable to see how much she loves reading, but she also complains about being bored in school.

This was my kid. She’s reading Anna Karenina now in 7th grade. My finding is that being good at reading means you’re good at reading.

Our early readers like to read, are good readers, strong academically.

The studies claiming everything evens out by 2nd/3rd grade were narrowly focused children from deprived homes who were enrolled in Head Start. Those results really do NOT apply to most children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son learned the alphabet and sounds really early on and my daughter’s speech therapist said it was a bad thing and suggested autism (which I do think he has). He’s 6 now and still crazy smart though.

I’ve heard hyperlexia is linked to ASD. Given our family history I wouldn’t be shocked.

I know a hyperlexic toddler (with a SAHM that didn't teach it) that was actually reading before 2. He's almost three now and can read anything and is doing multiplication in his head. He hasn't been diagnosed with autism, but many other early signs are starting to show. But some daycares really push letters and kids memorize them, but don't make the jump to actual reading for years. I'd keep an eye on it, and watch for other ASD signs. Either way, enjoy and be proud of your baby!

My daughter could recognize her letters and sounds by 17 months, was reading simple books by 2/3, and read her first chapter book at age six. She is now a teenager. ASD doesn't run in our family, and she has never shown any symptoms.

One of my kids was like this and was reading at 3. A voracious reader by the time she started kindergarten. She’s a junior in high school, and still a voracious reader. She’s a good, but not great student (A-/B+ type).

Anonymous wrote:Yes, my oldest knew all her letters by 18 months. She's still not reading at a month shy of 5. I'm not pushing it.

+1 DS was slow to read and in the lowest reading groups of K and 1. Yes, we read to him a lot. It caught up. Great grades and honors English in high school. Boss' granddaughter was thought to be an early learner and reader. Turns out she was an excellent memorizer, but that did to translate into comprehension. Watch all the development signs OP.

Anonymous wrote:My son learned the alphabet and sounds really early on and my daughter’s speech therapist said it was a bad thing and suggested autism (which I do think he has). He’s 6 now and still crazy smart though.

I’ve heard hyperlexia is linked to ASD. Given our family history I wouldn’t be shocked.

My son learned the alphabet and sounds really early on and my daughter’s speech therapist said it was a bad thing and suggested autism (which I do think he has). He’s 6 now and still crazy smart though.

Yes, my oldest knew all her letters by 18 months. She's still not reading at a month shy of 5. I'm not pushing it.

For the past two weeks DD will recognize every letter in alphabet and can make the sounds of twenty consistently. She recently showed she can pick out letters from individual words as well. We read at home but definitely don’t work on letter recognition. Apparently they do letter of the week at daycare so I’m assuming she picked it up there? Her teacher said she’s the only one in the class who can do this. I’m impressed. My two oldest didn’t do this until maybe 3 or 4 when it was directly taught in preschool. Is this a sign of hyperlexia or am I overthinking it? She’s memorized a few easy books too but I don’t think she’s recognizing words but just has memorized the words by page.

I know in the long run it doesn’t matter if she’s reading at 2 or 7 but I’m curious if others have experienced this with their toddlers? Where are they now academically? Were they early readers?