Are you teaching a child with autism how to read or spell? If so, you need this post!
Children with autism often have difficulty learning to read and spell using standard methods because their brains process information in unique ways.
For example, some children with autism think in pictures instead of words. Many have problems recalling strings of words or multi-step instructions. And differentiating between certain sounds can be difficult for those with autism, which can make learning to read especially difficult.
Fortunately, our step-by-step, multisensory techniques actively engage children in the learning process and make learning to read and spell much easier.
Following are six important tips for teaching children with autism how to read and spell.
Children with autism often have difficulty processing abstract ideas. Color-coded letter tiles provide concrete examples of reading and spelling concepts.
Also, autism can make it impossible to process excessive verbal input. Demonstrating blending and segmenting using letter tiles allows the child to understand the process without being overwhelmed with long verbal explanations.
With direct instruction, lessons are carefully sequenced and explicit. The student is told exactly what he needs to know. Each reading and spelling lesson should include three simple steps:
Break every skill down into its most basic steps and then teach the lessons in a logical order, carrying your child from one concept or skill to the next. Each step should build on steps your child has already mastered, ensuring that there are no gaps.
When teaching children their letters, start with the phonograms and teach them the ones that are easiest to learn and that they can put to immediate use, like M, S, P, and A. Teaching one concept at a time respects the child’s funnel and helps learning stick. It also helps keep lessons short.
Teach every lesson using sight, sound, and touch. For example, using moveable letters engages both the kinesthetic and visual pathways to the brain, and saying the sounds aloud engages the auditory pathway.
You can also have your child form letters in salt or rice, or trace the shape of the letters on the textured surface of his choice, such as velvet or sandpaper. This is especially helpful if your child has difficulty with fine motor control and needs simple and repeated activities to help develop this skill.
Many children with autism learn how to decode words quickly and easily, but they have difficulty with comprehension. If your child is a literal thinker, it may be difficult for her to understand concepts like words with multiple meanings or making predictions or understanding character motivation.
To help, work on developing listening comprehension using the tips in 4 Great Ways to Build Listening Comprehension. This post on How to Teach Reading Comprehension also has great information on how to help your child understand what she is reading.
Set your child up for success with a mastery-based approach to learning. This approach lets you to meet your child right where he is and allows you to teach at your child’s pace instead of at a rigid pace set by a curriculum. Some children with autism learn in huge leaps—learning many literacy concepts almost all at once—while others need time to fully digest a lesson before progressing. By using a mastery-based approach, your child can move as quickly or as slowly as he need to.
It is important to make the lessons mastery-based and to include a visual way for your child to mark her progress, such as a chart where she can paste stars for each lesson learned.
And don’t forget to use words of encouragement every step of the way. Simple encouragement like “Good job!” or “You did great!” or “Excellent!” goes a long way toward building confidence and self-esteem in children, motivating them to keep learning.
“When our twins were diagnosed with autism, we knew that we needed to play to their strengths in looking for curriculum. I quickly discovered that they do better when they are naturally motivated to engage. All About Reading and All About Spelling do just that, and the programs scream “autism-friendly.” This is wonderful curriculum!” – Cindy, mother of two children with autism, and blogger at My Life as a Rinnagade
“My mildly autistic son struggled severely in school. Watching him flounder was breaking my heart, so I pulled him out to home school. We were recommended to All About Reading and All About Spelling by a random acquaintance. I love your products! We have done All About Reading Levels 1-3. The stories are so engaging! My son always asks to do reading first because he knows he will be reading a great story or doing a fun activity. THANK YOU for this amazing product!” – Jessica
“My 13-year-old nonverbal, autistic son is spelling and writing thanks to All About Spelling!! I had initially bought this to use with my 10-year-old who has difficulty with spelling, but when I saw the materials I thought, Hey, I can modify this to use with Matthew (my 13-year-old). I am so thankful for your program! I would love to share this story with other moms of special needs children in case they are wondering, as I was, if this would work for their child.” – Tara
Does your child have autism? What has helped for reading and spelling instruction? Let me know in the comments below!
Photographs by Cindy Rinna and Jill M.
Shaakirah Ghany
says:Good days, My 10 year daughter is Austim and hearing imparied … she has misbehave She dont understand everything..she is little write and read.. how do i teach her at home .. please let me know if i want her to know everything what do i teach her , read,write,understand and everything … do you have zoom or googleclassroom with her?
Jennifer Park
says:Please my son struggles with going to school and does not want to go. He is 20 years old adhd ptsd separation anxiety disorder anxiety and autistic pdd on the spectrum and odd. He is extremely delayed cannot read or spell. I need help. I don’t want to put him in a program. I guess I will homeschool although I’m nervous and not sure my patience will allow me but I don’t want my son to suffer.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceJennifer,
It is understandable to be nervous. If you have questions or concerns, please ask. We are happy to help as much as we can. We can be reached at [email protected].
Sherry
says:This is a great program that has helped both of my Austic children learn to read
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThis is wonderful, Sherry! Thank you for letting us know that All About Reading was helpful for your children’s reading success.
Kim
says:This is great information! With how many people are being diagnosed with autism now it’s no wonder that kids struggle since teachers are not equipped with the knowledge to teach people who learn differently.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI have the greatest sympathies for classroom teachers, Kim. All too often they have little or no say in how they teach any given subject or what curriculum they are allowed to use.
But yes, there is a lack of knowledge in learning differences with the people making decisions for classrooms.
Connie Le
says:Teaching students with autism is more common in my classroom than ever before. I love how this program teaches direct and systematic instruction with multisensory techniques.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad you find the program helpful for your students, Connie!
KAYLEE
says:Lots of details and information, I will be going through a lot more of these articles as well over the next few days.
Lizet G
says:Free Resources are very helpful, thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Lizet.
Kim Bailey
says:Such an exciting program for a teacher! Finally a way to reach ALL of my students where they are and take them to where they need to be!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Kim!
Shelly Moorhouse
says:Yes! AAR and AAS helped my daughter with Autism learn to read and spell well!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGreat to hear, Shelly!
Christian N
says:The daily review is a big help
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSo true, Christian! Ongoing review helps ensure that everything sticks!
Katharine Gindin
says:It’s touching to read the comments from parents.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Katharine.
Brea
says:Number 6 is so important! My oldest who has autism is now in college, but when he was young, he could read far above what he could comprehend. He would read the words correctly, but have no idea what he just read. Homeschooling him was a journey for sure. I didn’t have All About Reading for him, but I am glad to have it for my younger kids.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceInteresting, Brea. Thanks for sharing.
Bryanna McManus
says:Great tips! Very helpful.
Gail Timmer
says:I have used AAS in my lessons with kids with differences of all kinds. It is very helpful at this time because some many children missed so much school. Teaching spelling rules has not been a priority for my grand girls teachers. I need to step in and winning a level would be great!
Amanda Gustafson
says:This is a great methodical spelling program that both kids and parents can use and appreciate!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Amanda!
Kristina
says:My 9 year old son has been diagnosed with Dyslexia and after a lot of research into the best program to use for our homeschool, we have decided that All About Reading is the best around.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Kristina!
mackenzie Kendra
says:I have a nephew with autisum This is very interesting to read
Anna Horgan
says:Very helpful. Thanks ☺️
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad this is helpful, Anna!
Sheri
says:All About Spelling has given our young speller confidence and a love for spelling. We love the letters tile app. Perfect for our homeschool classroom.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m so pleased to hear that All About Spelling is helping your child enjoy spelling, Sheri!
Kaylon
says:All about spelling took my son from crying and hating spelling. Not able to spell, to being able to write sentences spelt all correctly!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThis was wonderful to read, Kaylon! It’s exciting to know that All About Spelling helped your son to be successful with spelling.
Katrina Brown
says:All About Spelling is a wonderful product! We started with the tiles on the whiteboard and also use the app.
Michelle R
says:Thanks for the tips! It will definitely help when I’m teaching my 2 kids on the spectrum.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Michelle. I’m glad this will be helpful for you.
Kimberly
says:This program has been a game changer for our son who is autistic! We love it!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWonderful to hear, Kimberly! I’m so glad it has made a difference for your son.
Emily Troutman
says:A great article!
stephanie donaghe
says:My son is not diagnosed autism but is considered borderline because he exhibits so many similarities. Homeschooling can be challenging at times. This year we are using memoria press but the struggle is great. I have already decided to try this program next year.
Jacqueline J. Esteron
says:This is a very helpful article. Thank you!
Judith Martinez
says:I have one child with autism and a second that may have it. I taught my son with autism the very basic sounds and he took off on his own. My daughter that I suspect has autism struggled to learn how to read. These techniques would likely help a lot of children learn to read more readily.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m pleased to hear you think these techniques will be helpful for children learning to read, Judith. Thank you.
Beth J.
says:These are great tips! Thanks!
Anita
says:An interesting article, thank you.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Anita.
Sarah S
says:This is a very informative article. Thanks.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Sarah. I’m glad you found this informative.