17 month old reading

Elizabeth Barrett is to all appearances your standard 17-month-old girl, complete with wisps of gossamer hair so blond it's almost white and the unsteady gait that is the definition of a toddler. As her parents and two other adults talk earnestly around her, she paws through a couple of large-format children's books on a table, blissfully unaware of the conversation around her.

Then TODAY's Ann Curry holds up a sheet of paper with the word "HAPPY" printed in big, block letters and asks Elizabeth to read it.

"Hap-py," Elizabeth chirps without hesitation, enunciating each syllable in a bright little voice.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 17
• month
• old
• reading

[1111grl8]

she's different in a positive way... so why is the mom scared for her?? i don't get it .....she acts as if she has a bad physical disability

[melroscoe]

You know how teacher's pet's always get picked on or how "bookworms" get picked on, just for being smart? That's what the mother is scared of, that her child has a gift that makes her different, makes her stand out so to speak and she's afraid she won't be accepted because of it. I think I would be a little worried about that too if my children were that smart at such a young age.

[frazzledmama]

She is absolutely adorable. This little girl has hyperlexia. My son has been reading and writing since before he was 17 months old as well. He taught himself how to read around age 1, taught himself sign language and has an astounding memory. He has also been diagnosed with Hyperlexia and Aspergers. As speech pathologists I'm sure they know about hyperlexia but should still watch when she gets older for signs of being on the autism spectrum. She certainly is an amazing little girl!

[tralaley21]

Amazing!

[benjoseminiano]

here's an amazing baby, can read at the age of 17 mos . .

[slimithy12]

whats that women so scared about? i wish my daughter could read. everytime i give her a book she throws it at me and screams CRISPS! now thats something to be scared about....lol.

[darkangel2327]

@mommyrock So...next Einstein?

[Nazmus1992]

A mirical from GOD!

[mrsdramaqueenn]

aww ...can you read this?...you are adorable!!

(yeah i think i spelled it wrong!?!?)

[jojofan88]

i think thats a fake.

nobody can read at this age.

[swimchickletreagan]

ctually if you really observe her, she does not engage much with the adults other than to read the words, not much visual referencing or looking for response from others. Also gets agitated when she doesn't have a book. My daughter was hyperlexic and much more engaging and still aspergers. It is often very subtle especially at this age. They need to be on the lookout for regression in the next six months.

[laniramommy]

She is very cute indeed!

But I sure do hope she will outgrow it....

the smartness I mean.

Most of the time having a high IQ is not a gift at all, but a huge burden.

people always think it is great to be intelligent ! but there are many downsides to it as well, something most people tend to forget or just are not aware of.

I know I do not wish an extemely high IQ on anyone....... it is always best to be average when it comes to IQ.

[mommyrock]

She doesn't appear to exhibit any signs of hyperlexia other than being able to read. How is it that you know she has hyperlexia? I saw another version of this story where they stated that the parents took her to the doctor because they were worried about autism and the doctors said Elizabeth was fine.