Reading comprehension is often a concern for special education teachers of students with Autism. Not only Autistic students require lots of visuals, but often they also struggle with their auditory processing skills. Finding balance is not always easy. However, it is not an impossible task! I will describe below one of the comprehension strategies I use with my students in my attempt to help them improve their ability to read, understand, and communicate about written material. Keep in mind that comprehension is a very complex skill that is built over time and requires lots of practice opportunities.
Some of the most successful strategies for my students were the simplest materials I have ever created. Last year, I cut out circles from construction paper, laminated them and mounted them onto jumbo pop sickle sticks. Then, I gave them a fancy name- Detective Reading Wands, and my students were absolutely thrilled to use them!
FIND THE EVIDENCE
If your students can’t read, they will never be able to find supportive details in a text by engaging with the text on their own. Presenting the information orally and allowing them to “find” the evidence in a different manner other than by reading gives them an opportunity to be successful. As you look for text evidence, instruct them to listen for details in the text, and lift the wands when they hear you read information related to the question in focus.
DIFFERENTIATION
You can customize your wands by adding pictures, pictures and text, or words only, depending on your student’s reading level. Using a dry erase marker you can quickly draw or have the students draw and/or write what they should be listening for in the text. When evidence has been found, erase and draw again for the next detail.
These reading wands give students visual support, and they keep little fidgety hands busy, while also keeping everyone accountable. This is a very simple way for teachers to engage every student and it makes for a quick check for understanding. These wands can be used with any type of Q&A scenarios and even as an exit ticket.
Use dry erase markers to draw or write whatever it is that you want your students to focus on. Use simple sketches and keep verbiage to a minimum.
Also, consider narrowing the scope by choosing just one passage or a few shorter ones to focus on at a time. That way your students engage with shorter texts that give them an opportunity to experience success and not get bogged down with lengthy texts. You can increase the length of the passages as your students become stronger in finding details and evidence in texts.
