UBC Press When Babies Read book Paperback 192 pages

Audra Jensen' son began reading when he was only two years old. She shares her experiences - both the challenges and joys - of raising a child with autism and hyperlexia - an early and obsessive interest in the written word associated with social deficits and significant difficulty in understanding verbal language.The author stresses the importance of diagnosis of the condition for successful implementation of effective teaching strategies and encouragement of more typical childhood development. As well as useful advice, this guide provides a comprehensive reading curriculum specially designed for young, challenged children to help promote their reading ability.With practical suggestions on how to modify teaching and therapy programmes to suit a child's individual learning style, this practical guide will prove invaluable for parents of children with autism and hyperlexia.

Audra Jensen is mother to a son with autism and hyperlexia, and to a typical, bright, and energetic daughter. She lives near Seattle with her husband and family. Audra K. Jensen's background is in technical writing and graphic design. She is now undertaking a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education and plans to become a hyperlexia researcher and an autism specialist for the schools. She has been actively involved in the autism community and hopes to continue to educate parents and professionals on hyperlexia and its challenges and blessings.