How to Teach a Special Needs Child to Read

Reading to Your Child

• 1

  Choose a book or story that fits the child's attention span. Next, ask questions about the picture on the cover, the book's title and author's name.

• 2

  While reading the story for enjoyment several times, point out each word. After several readings, choose one or two words per page that are associated with the picture on that page for the child to try reading. If the child struggles, give clues using the picture or the first sound in that word.

• 3

  Children can also learn letter names and sounds using flash cards (with pictures and the beginning letter).The best sets include more than one sound for each letter as needed, for example use both "ape" and "apple" for the letter A. Once children are ready to begin reading sight words, there are methods to have students match, find target words on command and read target words.

• 4

  One additional method is allow children to trace letters and words printed on index cards. This helps children to focus on each letter and /or sound as they read. Allow children to use different materials for creativity, but limit the number of words to groups of five.

Gaining Independence

• 5

  Encourage children to put words together using purchased letter tiles or printed letters on card stock. One syllable words can be taught letter by letter from first to last. Repetition of presenting the letter forms and sounds is key. As students progress to reading multi-syllable words, use a syllable by syllable reading strategy.

• 6

  Realize students may write certain letters backwards, a common practice for five-year-olds. Special needs children need continued practice of using the backwards letter correctly.

• 7

  Gradually allow children to take over reading the story. If reading all the words in the book frustrates the child, use sticky notes to summarize key words and ideas of the story for each page.

Building Confidence

• 8

  Read one word in the selection incorrectly and allow your student to find the mistake. This helps students gain confidence.

• 9

  Also allow the learner to reread the selection and watch the number of mistakes decrease. Teachers can also use a tic-tac-toe game to review up to nine of the words that were incorrect the first time.

• 10

  Check comprehension with both oral and written questions. Also, numerous graphic organizers are available on-line. These help organize random facts, which are quickly forgotten, into whole pictures.

• 11

  Through specific strategies and individual attention, special needs children can learn language skills.