3 Tips to Engage your child in reading

Autism affects every individual differently. Autism is experienced and documented on a spectrum, meaning two children on separate ends of the spectrum can have entirely different limitations and struggles. It's important to find out what's right for your child specifically.

That being said, here is a shortlist of the most common issues those with autism may face, delayed language development, restricted interests, and avoidance of eye contact.

These can make it difficult for them to engage in school-related activities such as reading, writing, and socializing with their peers. As a parent, it can be frustrating or downright heartbreaking to see them struggling in these areas. Luckily there are countless resources and tips out there to help both parents and children in combating the struggles they may face.

If your child is struggling with reading, do not fret, there are lots of tips for helping them improve in this area.

• The first tip is to try having them read for shorter periods. This can help drastically improve their abilities because children with ASD often have shorter attention spans. Helping them focus on any task for a smaller window of time can help prevent frustration and hopefully, build a longer attention span throughout your practice. This tip can apply to any instances that requires focus.

•  The next tip for helping your child engage with books, would be a fun trip to the library! You want to make learning an interactive and interesting experience every chance you get. Start by talking to your librarian about where you can find books for lower reading levels. Once you're in the appropriate section, help them pick out some colorful books that pique their interest. Books with images, such as faces, displaying emotion can be especially helpful.

• The last tip we are going to cover today would be to change up the method of information delivery. Audiobooks can be a great tool in helping your young reader engage more! After listening to an audiobook together make sure to communicate to ensure they were following along and retaining information. Ask questions about key details throughout the passage to see if they're engaged. This helps their overall knowledge as well as helps to build their vocabulary without necessarily having to read a physical book. This can be a great addition to helping improve their skills.

Hopefully, this information can help to guide you in the right direction for assisting you and your needs. Everyone has the potential to be a great reader, some cases may just need a little extra help along the way.

Keep in mind that this can be a tiring, exhausting, and frustrating process for everyone involved. So take your time, take a break when needed, and always reward progress!