Teaching Autistic Children to Read?

Autism is an intimidating mental state. It can show several degrees of symptoms in different children. Autistic children are low on social skill and get frustrated easily. As a result, teaching autistic children to read can be a really time consuming and challenging experience. To add to the problem, each child is different and it becomes extremely necessary to be creative and patient while teaching autistic children to read.

Autistic children require a structured environment and a regular schedule. Schedules relax the child as he or she knows what to expect and it reduces their anxiety. It also makes autistic children more receptive learning in a new environment. Please be warned that each child and the level of autism in him or her will always be different. Although these are broad tips on teaching autistic children to read; it’s a better idea to mix and match your technique to make the teaching process for each child unique.

1. Start by finding out how the child likes to learn. Autistic children are good are arts, music and computers. A few children are more visually oriented than others who prefer the written word and yet others learn by phonics. As a result, try to combine, visual aids like the TV and video with audio-visual presentations to catch the child’s attention. Use videos that are short and have subtitles in large letters to reinforce the audio.
2. Most autistic children have very short attention spans; so try to keep presentations to short and simple interactive exercises. A few may find it difficult to focus on one class and they have to be encouraged to learn by splitting the class into smaller sections. Other children may focus completely on a single step in the class and they have to be encouraged to move on. Try to split the learning schedule to suit each child as this will encourage autistic children to succeed.
3. Label items in the classroom and the school so that the child has an accurate idea of the names of the objects everyday. This is will accelerate word recognition and association.
4. Use auditory aids to help increase the child’s association with the written word. Try to combine the use of flash cards with a book that repeats the same words again and again, or use lyrics books when you are playing music to help the child connect with the music. You can also try to read to the child with simple repetitive words in the same story line.
5. Fantasy does not work well with autistic children. But they seem to do very well with factual situations. Stick to stories that have real life situations to help the child to learn.
6. Use interactive computer programs like Reading Comprehension Booster and the Autism Coach to help you with the teaching process.

Teaching autistic children to read is not easy. You will require a lot of patience and hard work for teaching autistic children. To read, one needs good concentration, and that is a challenge for both, the child and the teacher! But you keep holding on, because in the long run teaching a child to learn about the wonderful world of the books can be eternally rewarding.