How to Teach Reading to a Child With a Disability

Reading is an essential life skill, regardless of ability, to be successful in life. We all learn through different techniques and at different paces. However, teaching a child with a disability to read can be challenging and frustrating not only for the child but for the teacher or parent as well. Despite the challenges and frustration however, a child with a disability can learn to read, whether they are verbal or non-verbal. This how-to guide will provide valuable techniques for teachers and parents alike. These steps are based on traditional learning methods but there is more emphasis on visual learning, as most children with disabilities need visual cues and adaptive communication to learn new skills. The steps are easy to follow and anyone can use and apply them.

Things You'll Need

• Preschool activity worksheets
• Preschool activity workbooks
• Pictures
• Flashcards
• Simple books
• Rhyming Books

Instructions

1. Mastering pre-reading skills is key. These skills include knowing ABCs, letter sounds, letter shapes and colors. Use preschool activity books as well as practice worksheets to teach ABC and color basics. These tools are easy to find and are inexpensive. Also, reading books to the child with predictable text and rhyming words such as Dr. Suess or "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?" are helpful. Visual cues such as pictures and practice is vital.

2. Identify words or pictures that begin with a particular letter. This is done by labeling items. Preschool activity workbooks are a good source for labeling as well as looking around the house for items or through a magazine. For a child that is non-verbal, make this process simple by providing a few pictures and help the child choose the correct answer. Make this task a fun.

3. Use pictures to represent words. For a child with a disability, this adaptive form of communication is very helpful and important. Labeling pictures allows the child to see a particular word as well as visualize exactly what the word is. For example, if you need to communicate the word car, have a picture of a car as well as labeling the picture underneath with the written word. As some children with multiple disabilities may not have the ability to read or comprehend beyond pictures, this becomes the most important step as a picture becomes worth a thousand words.

4. Learn and expand sight word vocabulary. Sight words are basic words that are used in everyday language and are used to create and read simple sentences. For example, on, and I, to and go are all considered sight words. Using flashcards, visualizing the words through pictures, writing sight words and verbally repeating sight words helps the child memorize these words and helps the child build their vocabulary.

5. Build vocabulary by decoding words. This is one of the most important skills a reader can learn. Most children with disabilities have difficulty with decoding new words that have not been memorized. To decode, the child must use skills that they have already acquired such as letter identification and letter sounds to create and learn new words. For children with disabilities, using visuals cues such as pictures, is important to learning new words. Activities using a base alpha pairing or simple letter combinations such as “an” to make new words will help children decode and create a new word. For example, the base is “an” and a picture of a fan. Have the child look at the picture, say the word, identify the letter it begins with then add it to “an.” Have the child sound out the word. They have now learned a new word. Playing phonics games like this is very helpful in decoding words and building the child’s vocabulary.

6. Practice reading simple sentences with a written sight word and picture(s) that represent text. This step with help with sentence structure as well as help develop language skills. Make sure to read aloud slowly and have the child repeat. In therapeutic terms, this is known as turtle talk. Practice reading books that are targeting for preschool and kindergarten that have pictures and words in the text. You will be surprised that your child with disability has learned to read.

7. Expand simple sentences without the use of pictures as text. Remember, children with disabilities are visual learners. It will be very helpful to have an illustration along with the sentence to help the child identify what they are reading. Once the child has mastered this step, they have learned to read. Make sure to praise and reward the child on a job well done.

Tips & Warnings

• Children with disabilities need lots of visual cues.

• Use lots of pictures. Have lots of patience.

• Reward accomplishments every step of the way.

• Do not expect child with a disability to learn to read overnight. Have patience.

Resources

• Free printables for children with special needs
• Teaching reading methods
• Products for young child with special needs