Children are our most valuable resource, including those who are autistic. Being autistic can affect how a person pays attention to things, or how they do things. Reading can especially be challenging for those who are autistic. This is especially challenging for autistic children since during their school years, they’re learning new things and skills. Since language and social skills are essential to learn during their school years, it’s important to help your child develop these skills, to make this easier, we have compiled our reading tips for autistic children to help you the benefits of reading to and with your child.
In this article, we’ll show you how reading can help your child learn foundational language, along with social skills. Learning these skills now can help your child overcome obstacles and help them develop the following:
· Comprehension skills
· Reading readiness, AND
· Excellent learning ability
“Reading can actually help autistic children comprehend certain situations, and even help them develop the right social skills,” says Abby Wallace, a writer at Boomessays and Paperfellows. “In addition, listening skills can come from listening to stories that you’ll read to your child. These are crucial skills, since autistic children might not make eye contact or speak their mind the first time. Therefore, when you introduce a character in a story, your child is more likely to notice. However, the trick is to make the story and characters known when you’re reading, because autistic persons’ attention spans are normally short. That’s why it’s important to point out the things and characters that you’re reading to your child.”
Plus, establishing a routine for reading can help your child in developing social skills and awareness. When you keep to a reading schedule, your child will understand that there is a routine, and it can help them with transitions and recognizing activities.
With that said, here are three tips on nurturing your child’s interest in reading:
It’s never too early to start your child on reading books. In this way, you can prepare your child for reading later on in life, even as they start going to school.
Your child might have a favorite book that they love to hear from you. So, why not read to them their favorite books? Who knows? Your child might be interested in cars, flowers, favorite characters, etc.
As you read to your child, it’s important to ask them comprehension questions. Now, when asking these questions, it’s important to come your child’s strengths in mind, so that they can answer to the best of their ability. Also, be patient with them as you ask them questions. The best questions start with “Who” “What” “Where” and “When.”
“Whenever you read to your child, it’s important to read aloud to them, so that they can understand the story,” says Sarah Merrylees, an educator at State Of Writing and Essayroo. “By hearing your voice and speaking the words, he or she is able to comprehend what’s going on. Plus, your child may start asking questions about the story among other things.”
To prepare and help your child, try the following strategies:
Ultimately, your child’s interest in reading and social skills starts with you – the parent. So, why not start reading to them today?
By reading to your children, you’ll not only spark any interests in them, but they’ll be more prepared once they go into the world and keep learning.
Emily Henry is a writer and editor at Ukwritings Reviews and Paper Writing Service. She is also a contributing writer at OX Essays. As an educational writer, she is passionate about teaching, and she writes articles about reading, writing, and school trends.
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