How can we help autistic learners with reading?
When I was 10, my teacher addressed the class and said: ”Pull your socks up!”. It took me a few days to understand that the new kid, who literally pulled his socks up, had autism.
As I grew from being an 'ignorant' kid to a responsible adult, I finally understood what it truly means to be born on the spectrum.
The rise in awareness about autism in recent years is a positive trend that helps in dispelling the stigma around the neurodevelopmental disorder. But, from time to time,
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can face distinct challenges in learning to read. ASD is a spectrum, so the range of challenges is different for every child. But for many young children with ASD, it affects the development of foundational language and social skills. This impacts reading readiness, comprehension skills, and a child’s overall approach to learning.
Research suggests that the development of autism is rooted in very early brain development. However, in most cases, no one cause can be identified. Research has identified several genes that can cause autism in and of themselves. These account for about 15 percent of cases of autism spectrum disorders.
I am learning for my child that learning to read and DECODE is extremely difficult,he has fantastic comprehension which he can listen to chapter books and answer questions verbally,but to read words is very challenging!
Whereas mine is a brilliant reader, well ahead of his peers, but his comprehension means he’s not moving up in book levels. Whenever he is tested to move up and asked to write a sentence about some aspect of the story, he has to be heavily supported. I have no idea how to help him!