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Many children with autism can learn to read with the same step-by-step teaching of letter sounds that helps other children. What often helps is the way you teach: the same short routine every day, one small step at a time, clear pictures and few words, and plenty of practice before something new. Your child's teacher, therapist or doctor knows your child best, so share what you do at home with them.
Reading words rests on a few skills: hearing the sounds in a word, knowing which letter makes which sound, and joining the sounds to read the word. A U.S. Department of Education guide for schools recommends teaching these skills step by step for young readers.
These steps are the same for a child with autism. The difference is usually in how they are taught, not in what is taught.
Many children with autism do best when they know what comes next. Use the same place, the same time and the same order each day. For example: two sounds from yesterday, one new sound, then three short words.
Show the order with pictures your child can see, and check off each part when it is done. Keep it short. A few calm minutes every day is worth more than a long session that ends in tears.
Say less, and show more. Point to the letter, say its sound, and have your child say it back. Use real pictures for words, such as a picture of a cat for cat.
Some children read words before they talk much, and some know many words by sight but cannot yet sound out new ones. Both can still learn letter sounds. Practice the sounds, and then use them to read short new words.
Some children with autism read words well but find it harder to understand what a sentence or story means. After a short sentence, ask one simple question, or have your child point to the matching picture.
If understanding is the hard part, tell the teacher or therapist. They can plan help for language and understanding, which is not something our pages teach.
Practice this in the free reading appReading games your child can play on a phone, tablet or computer. Every word can be sounded out. No sign-up.Open the app
Keep the same order every day and show it with pictures.
Teach one new sound at a time and repeat yesterday's first.
Use real pictures for words, not cartoons that could mean many things.
Stop while it is still going well.
Tell the teacher or therapist what you practice at home, so everyone uses the same words.
Listen and Say the WordYou say the sounds slowly, your child says the whole word. No letters to look at, so it trains the ear first.Play free
Build the WordYour child hears a word and taps the letter tiles in the right order to build it.Play free
Read the WordOne short word at a time, such as sat, pin or dog. Every word uses only the sounds of the level you choose.Play freeShort a words worksheets, CVC word family practice.
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CVC cut and paste worksheets for beginning, middle and ending sounds.
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All 5 read and match level worksheet packs in one download.
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All 7 letter sounds level worksheet packs in one download.
See insideMany can. Step-by-step teaching of letter sounds helps many children learn to read words. Children differ, so watch what works for your child and share it with the teacher or therapist.
Teach the letter sounds and how to join them, a few at a time. Then practice reading short new words made only from sounds your child knows.
No. It is about teaching reading at home. Questions about autism belong with your child's doctor or a specialist.
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