4 year old remembers every word as an image , is this normal?

[WorriedDad23]

I'm not sure if this is not normal or not ,

He is having speech therapy and autistic behaviours.

We were told his reading is very good compared to other kids in his nursery. I learned he can remember every word I teach him,although he cannot read new words by trying to workout the letters, but he remembers almost all the words I teach him by pointing my finger and pronouncing the word.

Is this normal for a 4 year old? I'm not worried at all , I'm just thinking if there is something I should be doing to help him to improve this.

It's known as 'sight reading' - the child learns the shape of the word in one block, then recognises every time they see that shape, the word is 'x'.

It is fantastic for fast learning of reading, especially if a child has a photographic memory. However, the reason phonics has been introduced is because, as you say, the child is limited by the exposure they've had to words and can't independently figure out new words.

A child who has learned phonics, will be able to break down a word into its component sounds and will then be able to read any string of graphemes which are able to be pronounced by our language, whether the word has a 'real' meaning or not.

Thanks , so should I encourage this or not?

Ds is like this. He still did phonics when he went to school and he can now break words down into sounds but his sight reading is above average and his sounding out behind. For some children they can get far enough with memory it's not an issue.
I wouldn't do anything at the moment. He's already ahead. He'll have to do phonics to death at school as there is a test at the end of year 1. Concentrate on areas he is behind. Usually gaps in vocab, understanding etc
Ds can read well above the level he can use language to talk or write. His memory is amazing. But he still can't talk in sentences at nearly 7. Your child will progress with reading without you having to try so use your time to ask questions about the book. His memory comes in very useful in spelling tests!