How to Teach Words by Sight to People with Autism
Teaching someone to read is not an easy task no matter what, and that challenge only becomes more difficult if that child has autism. However, almost any child with autism can learn to read whether they are verbal or nonverbal. The PECs system offers a great starting platform for a child with autism to learn words by sight.
Instructions
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Use PECs at first. PECs stands for the Picture Exchange Communication System, and is commonly used when teaching a child with autism how to read. In the PECs system the child with autism hands you a picture, such as a box of cereal, thus communicating his desires. The PECs system teaches your child to communicate actions by using pictures.
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Use sight words in conjunction the PECs. For example, have a picture of a glass of water and the word water on a separate card. Alternate having the child hand you the word and picture until the child has the word mastered. Be careful to not add too many words at once. Keep it simple, only adding about 3 to 5 words at a time at your child's pace. If your child learns quickly, consider adding new words every other day. If your child takes a little more time to take in concepts, try adding words at least once a week.
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Graduate to entire sentences. After your child has mastered the PECs system, it is time to try something a little more challenging. Keep the concept of PECs in mind when graduating to entire sentences. Good starter sentences are things the child wants or needs such as sentences that say "I want cereal," or "I need to go to the bathroom." Repeat the sentence with the action until the child has mastered the sentence. Allow the child to take the initiative with the sentences. Only teach a couple of sentences at a time to avoid confusion with the child.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit reading child 1 image by DMITRY BOKOV from Fotolia.com
