This document provides tips for making the most of reading time with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. It recommends starting with short reading sessions that build attention span over time. Finding a quiet, consistent routine for reading helps children feel secure. Parents should read aloud with expression, engage the child by asking questions about pictures and making predictions, and consider repetition of stories to help comprehension. Incorporating sound effects and books on topics of interest can make reading more memorable and fun.

1. Making the Most of Reading Time Together
CREATED BY SUSIE ALMANEIH

2. READING WITH A CHILD WHO HAS AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) CAN BE
INVALUABLE TIME SPENT TOGETHER. THE
ACTIVITY HELPS THE CHILD’S LEARNING
AND SOCIAL SKILLS, LANGUAGE
DEVELOPMENT, AND LISTENING SKILLS. IT
CAN ALSO BE A FUN WAY TO BETTER
CONNECT, WHILE HELPING YOUR CHILD
TO ACQUIRE A LOVE OF BOOKS.

3. Remembering and applying simple tips will ensure that you’re
making the most of this time with your child, and that he or
she is getting the most benefit out of it. Include the following
ideas during your reading time:

4. 1. Ease into it.
Because children with ASD
often have a very short
attention span, start by reading
for short periods of time,
pointing out and naming
objects as you progress
through a book. Be sure to
build up reading time as you
go; your child will start looking
forward to the activity as a
time of both fun and learning.

5. 2.Make it part of the routine.
If your child thrives from routine each day, try reading a
favorite book as he or she goes from one task to another.
For example, this usual activity can set the stage for nap
time or bedtime. Find a quiet place with no distractions.

6. Each time you read to your child, you are helping his or her brain to
develop. Reading aloud allows your child to hear your voice and listen
to spoken words, prompting questions. It’s essentially planting the
seed to make reading a permanent part of life.
3. Read aloud.

7. 4.Readwithexpression.
Create different voices for
different characters, and
emphasize rhymes and consonant
patterns. Use your voice to stress
new and interesting words, and
even share how you feel about a
particular word. Continue to use
the new word throughout the day
to build and support your child’s
growing vocabulary.

8. 5. Engage your child.
Make comments and ask questions
as you read. Direct your child’s
attention to the pictures, the facial
expressions of the characters, and
make predictions. Make comments
and ask open-ended questions,
which help to build thinking and
conversational skills.

9. 6.Considerrepetition.
Read the same story again and again. This will help your child to fully
grasp language. Also, books that have a lot of repetitive phrases allow
children to memorize some of the text and “read” the pages the next time.

10. 7. Incorporate Sound Effects
Books that have
buttons your child can
press for sounds
makes reading more
interactive and
memorable. Audio
cues can aid in
retention so that your
child takes in what is
going on and holds
onto it long after
reading time is over.

11. 8. Subject matter matters.
Just like all of us, your child will be more involved with a
book that covers a topic of interest. Animals, sports, trains,
etc. – whatever your child may be into, books of that subject
matter will ignite and maintain his or her love of reading.

12. 9. Relate the story.
Talkaboutthe
storytoyourchild.
Relateittohisor
herpersonal
experiences,orto
yourown.

13. 10. Stay close.
Reading time can also
serve as emotional
bonding time. Share a
special blanket or even
build a reading fort to
share in the special
activity.
In this way, the
enjoyment of reading
becomes connected to
caring and love.

14. Asaparent,gettingachildwithASDto
becomeinterestedinreadingcanatfirstbe
challengingandfrustrating,butoneofthe
besttipsyoucantakeintoconsiderationisto
justkeeptrying.Readingcanbecomean
activitythatbothyouandyourchildwilllook
forwardtoeachday,andthenoticeable
benefitswillonlyfurthermotivatetheeffort.

15. Autism Speaks offers a vast list
of titles for different age levels,
interests, and involvement.
Access the complete list here:
https://www.autismspeaks.org
/family-services/resource-
library/books.