Easy Readers for children with autism
(I am talking very first readers for kids with autism
just beginning to read)
need as many of these features as possible:
- short words
- complete sentences
- short sentences
- big typeface
- color pictures
- pictures that correspond to the text
- a simple story and/or rhyme scheme
How can I make such a sweeping generalization when
kids with autism differ so much? Because these are features
helpful to all new readers, and for readers with autism,
just a little bit more so. Often people with autism
value completeness and those complete sentences
(as opposed to single words or fragments) become
vital. And if you want the world to have sense and
pattern, understandable stories and rhymes are key.
I thought Boy, Bird, and Dog by David McPhail
an exemplary early reader.
A very simple (in the best possible way) book,
The pictures show exactly what is said in the
text. This is oh so important for kids with autism
and oh so helpful for all kids learning to read.
The pictures are representational against a
white background. The typeface is big,
and the words are small. The sentences
are short, with only one or two sentences
per page. The story is a short 22 pages.
I did not know the “I Like to Read” series,
but I will be looking for it now.
-Spectrum Mom
I'd like to tell you about an e-book, The Day the Letters Flew, which we have just published. It is designed for children who may need extra help learning to read, whether they have autism, dyslexia or other language difficulties. The rhyming book tells the story of a young boy whose regular day is turned upside down as letters change the objects in his life. For more information, see www.booksfordyslexics.com and let us know what type of books your children need.
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