strategies for helping children with special needs read
DESCRIPTION
This powerpoint addresses literacy in young children with special needs. For teachers, librarians, and other professionals, there are some specific strategies that will be useful in helping these children read. This presentation does not address reading instruction specifically (such as phonics, etc.), but rather, methods that will make it easier for children with certain special needs to read and enjoy reading. Such strategies include the use of available assistive technology, as well as adapted books.TRANSCRIPT
Courtney FischerUniversity of North Carolina – Greensboro
March 2012
An Introduction to Strategies for Helping Children with Special
Needs Read
Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities
- Dyslexia: often, difficulty in reading; see letters out of order or in reverse
- Well-spaced words and clear lettering
- Audio books
- BookTalker and BookWorm
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- General strategies helpful
- Developmentally-appropriate books
- Reading together and out loud
Motor Skill Impairments
- Adapted devices
- Electronic readers
- Use of Dycem
- Bookstands
- Computer programs
Blindness and Visual Impairments
- Braille or large print
- Audio books
- Book stands and supports
- Adequate lighting
- Magnifying devices
- Screen readers and text scanners
- Sensory items added to adapted books
Deafness and Hearing Impairments
- Hearing aids and amplification devices
- Books in American Sign Language (ASL) or Signed English
- Video translations
Adapted Books
- Pre-made versus DIY
- Pictures above words
- Page-turners
- Sensory items
- Laminate pages
- Scanning a book
Available Assistive Technology Recap
- BookTalker and BookWorm
- iPad and electronic book devices
- Glare-reduction screens and magnifiers
- Hearing amplifiers
- Audio books
- Video technology
Resources
- North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
- Focus on Literacy program, of A Brighter Path Foundation in Winston-Salem
- Local library systems
- Online resources
References
Berkeley, S., & Lindstrom, J. H. (2011). Technology for the struggling reader: Free and easily accessible resources. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(4), 48-55.
Darnell, M. (2004). Reading with dyslexia. Retrieved from http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/reading-with-dyslexia.html
Erickson, K. A., Hatch, P., & Clendon, S. (2010). Literacy, Assistive technology, and students with significant disabilities. Focus On Exceptional Children, 42(5), 1-16.
Goldin-Meadow, S., & Mayberry, R. I. (2001). How do profoundly deaf children learn to read? Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 16(4), 222-229.
Kirchner, R. (2010). Reading tips for children with dyslexia. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Reading_Tips_Dyslexia
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. (1995). 15 principles for reading to deaf children. Retrieved from http://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc_center/information_and_resources/info_to_go/language_and_literacy/literacy_at_the_clerc_center/welcome_to_shared_reading_project/15_principles_for_reading_to_deaf_children.html
NYC Department of Education. (2012). Adapted books. Retrieved from http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/District75/Departments/Literacy/AdaptedBooks/default.htm#ar
Shannon, M. (2006). The A-Z of adapting books for students with disabilities. Retrieved from www.ncatp.org/.../a-z%20of%20adapting%20books.doc
Turner, N. D., & Traxler, M. (1997). Children's literature for the primary inclusive classroom: Increasing understanding of children with hearing impairments. American Annals Of The Deaf, 142(5), 350-55.
Wopperer, E. (2011). Inclusive literature in the library and the classroom. Knowledge Quest, 39(3), 26-34.