[HillmanMinx]

Hi all. I am searching high and low for info on literacy issues in HFA.
My 8 and (almost) 16 year old are both highly verbal, but both have pretty bad literacy problems. They both have the same kinds of literacy problems, which leads me to believe it stems from the same kinds of brains... They can both learn by rote, they can both learn individual words. Both have serious problems with phonics, don't seem to 'hear' some sounds (but provably do hear the sounds), have limited ability to comprehend written info, etc etc etc...

I can find plenty of advice on encouraging early literacy in kids with ASD. But little in-depth information in to what exactly is going on with their literacy, and best practice for remediating it. All leads greatfully accepted.

DD8 is seeing a language specialist and going on a waitlist for a good speechie. DD16 has been through a lot of things and still struggles... I want to remediate this situation for her SO much!

[Sinister Bonnet]

At 16, I would not be spending time on the research but would put my energy into researching practical learning supports for her. The research basically will tell you that some kids with ASD have these forms of LDs .

What's her receptive language like? Can she learn from listening? Have a look at the Echo smartpen, Dragon Naturally Speaking word processing program (I cannot praise this program in its current form enough), consider an iPad with a camera to take photos of the blackboards in the classrooms.

Basically at 16, it is now time to look at the remediations and supports that will mean she can show what she knows.

[HillmanMinx]

Thanks swp. Thing is dd16 has had language assistance for 10 years and it hasn't effectively addressed her problems. And at dd8s literacy specialist the other day I felt very incompetent trying to keep up with the language she was using to describe dd8s problems... So I would like to get a strong understanding of what are the literacy issues with autism, so I can indeed help dd16 and 8. They do have receptive language issues. They have big problems with pragmatic language and I am interested in how perhaps pragmatic verbal language problems follow through into literacy and reading comprehension - as I suspect there is some key understanding for me in that area... But I can't find info on it.

[HillmanMinx]

Well I've officially tired myself out of trying to find info. Lots of minor references to all the ways in which ASDs affect reading - but no depth and no 'do this to remediate' info.

I kind of LOL'd in a FML kinda way on reading this little article... my DDs have 'relative weaknesses (significant ones)' in every area important to reading :

http://www.scilearn.com/blog/what-makes-go...proficiency.php

and said oh you noticed that too?? to this 2009 article:


http://readerswithautism.com/2009/08/missi...ement/#comments