Anyone have an AS child who didn't learn to read?

[disney-super-mom]

My DS who is a high functioning autistic is having the most horrible time trying to learn to read. He's seven years old and is repeating the first grade this year. He spends about 2 1/2 hours a day in the resource room to work on reading, writing, and math.

It's weird in a way. He can sound out the individual letters, put them together, and then figure out the word. The problem is that he doesn't remember the word for very long.

For example, let's say we're reading a book together (okay, actually I'm reading the book TO him because he can't read) about a dog. I have him read all the "dog" words in the book. But, if we tried to read the same book the next day, it's like he never saw the word "dog" before.

I'm not sure if it's an actual learning problem for him, or if it's just because reading doesn't interest him (or the subject matter doesn't interest him). All he ever wants to do is play his video games, watch movies, or go to Disneyland or DisneyWorld (of course!).

I have to say though that he also has a problem counting pictures of objects if they're grouped together too closely. He gets lost in the counting and ends up counting one picture more than once, or skipping another picture that he didn't count. For example, on a ditto he may have to count how many cups, how many bears, how many socks, etc... He does fine if there's about 7 or less, but over 7 and he gets lost visually. However, when using manipulatives that he can actually touch, he could count to 100 if he wanted to.

So, I'm thinking maybe it's a visual thing (not an eyesight problem, but more of a spatial problem), and that's what is affecting his ability to read. Anyone have a problem like this with their AS child? I just don't know...

 

[TurboKitty]

My beautiful auburn haired and blue eyes 8 year old dd is nowhere near your incredible son, with his speaking, reading, and comprehension of math. Well, maybe the picking visual cues you didn't know you were sending out...

I also know how hard it is to make a post and not be answered...

I've no advice for you...just love the boy for who he is.

Be strong, Mom.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I don't know if I can answer your question specifically, but yes, it could be a visual-spatial perception problem. Talk to your son's teachers about techniques you can use at home (or check online).

Having said that, reading is a developmental process. I believe the age range for learning to read for NT kids is between 4 and 8 years old. Some children don't have the eye control to learn to read as early as other children. Be patient, and keep working on it.

 

[minkydog]

My autistic son is very low-functioning so reading isn't an issue(now feeding, that's another story). But I have an older son who has severe ADHD and some sensory issues, who had a lot of difficulty learning to read. He was very much like your son--couldn't remember the rules, couldn't remember the words. In math he was totally lost, as if he had never seen the numbers before He didn't learn to read until about 8-1/2 and really wasn't a fluent reader until 11. He eventually learned to love reading. Math was always pretty hopeless.

Turns out he had some serious learning disabilities on top of the ADHD. We got some tutoring for him, and I homeschooled him most of his years. He graduated last year and is well-adjusted, working, and maturing nicely.

I would be patient,but also consider having your son tested for learning disabilities. It would be a shame to write it off to AS if he really has an unaddressed learning disability. (BTW--my younger sister had great difficulty learning to read, very much like your son. She was found to have dyslexia, got treatment, and ended up completing 3yrs of college )

 

[mbb]

.... Some children don't have the eye control to learn to read as early as other children. Be patient, and keep working on it.

The muscle development just isn't there, yet..perhaps your OT may be able to give some more insight on that

Our guys had issues with "scanning"...they would scan the whole page, but only be able to concentrate on the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Items grouped together..? Forget about it - but line them up, they could count them just fine.

To help with the scanning, we used their strengths, that is, the instructions for the worksheet were put into the bottom of the page for them, that way, the instructions were "easy" to find, and understand.

And we used WDW maps lots in the beginning..
Instructions for the "WDW MAp Game" in the bottom /right of the map.
Using lots of first/then sequences..

We could then insert just about anything we wanted to work on with the kids , and have some fun too, talking and remembering our last trip...really good for recall and appropriate storytelling as well.

...And a hug for all of you

 

[mlwear]

I'm with you. My DS is about to turn 9 and can't read. He has memorized some sight words, though! If you put individual words on index cards can your child learn them? Sight reading isn't really a good thing, but it is a start. When DS started with the cards, it was so frustrating because he only had two. I told him the words and he would just guess random things. Eventually, he understood the concept that the letters on the cards were words. It really is hard and can be very discouraging. DS uses Edmark curriculum at school. He is making slow progress, but it is progress.
It has only been in the last year that he has mastered counting objects up to around 20. He has to touch each one. It can be an actual object (what he started doing first) or pictures on a paper.
It took a long time to teach him to identify coins. Money is something he doesn't understand at all. He thinks everything costs $7. If you ask him, a candy bar costs $7, a new TV costs $7. We've tried lots of techniques and I am hopeful that someday he will get it.
I know you love your child for who is. But, I understand, too, the frustration that is involved with teaching him the things that parents of typical children take for granted. Everyone wants their kids to achieve what they are able and manage to live in a world that maybe isn't designed for them. Parents want them to achieve their potential, whatever that may be.
Isn't it amazing, though, that so often our kids can master or remember things that typical people can't. It is really difficult to comprehend that your child cannot remember that N-A-P spells nap, but can remember the smallest details for very early in his childhood?
My advice, try to not get discouraged. Keep trying strategies. Change when needed.
BTW, I know a HFA adult who writes and reads far better than the average adult. He told me that he couldn't read until he was 9.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks everyone for all the support.

It just so happened that Ryan's resource room teacher called me Friday out of the blue to tell me how great he was doing.

I'll admit it made me feel better, but on the other hand I felt a bit confused because of his continued struggles with reading, writing and math, as well as the fact that he NEVER wants to go to school. Many times he starts to cry because he doesn't want to go. And then I wonder if it's because the school setting is just too overwhelming for him, or if it's because he would rather stay home to play his video games. It's probably both.

Well, we'll just keep plugging along and see what comes of it. I just hope Ryan doesn't lose the desire to learn. Afterall, he's been going over the same stuff now for three years (sounds the letter make, sight words, counting and number recongnition), and there's just so much more to learn about (science, nature, art, music, the world!). I hope his teachers don't forget about that. I mean, what if he never learns the ability to read or write. He can still learn about all those things, he'll just have to learn about it in a different way other than reading and taking notes.

It's no wonder Ryan never wants to go to school anymore - so he can go over the letter "D" again...so he can learn how to write the number "9" again...so he can sound out the word "car" again...BORING...NOT FUN.

Learning needs to be fun for kids to develop a love of learning. I think I'll need to make a point of this at our next IEP meeting in a few weeks.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My 7 yr old ds is high functioning, and also struggling to read. DH works with him every day on the sight words for about 20 minutes, then we read a story together. The key for us has been repitition. Eventually, you will see results, then a step backward, then more progress, etc. At least, that is how it is for our ds. For every 2 steps forward, he'll take one step back, then forward again.

Just hang in there and keep working with him. He'll get it on his own terms, not yours.

 

[3kidsmommy]

My 8 year old son, Chandler, is autistic...although I don't know how "high functioning" he is considered...basically he is mildly mentally retarded (IQ of 68) and is VERY verbal now, although has trouble holding a conversation. He functions best with adults and very young children--like age of 2-4. He is in his third year of a mixed group primary 1st and 2nd grade classroom with more than half the day in resource (which I fought to get!). Chandler cannot read a single word other than his name. He cannot do any math at all because he doesn't understand one-to-one coorespondance. BUT...he is still learning. He can tell me what a noun is, the life cycle of a butterfly, and many other things. He is just learning to write, because up until now his fine motor skills have been too poor to write.
I guess I have to say that I won't give up hope. I don't care if he is 17 when he learns to read, I have to believe he WILL. I didn't think he would ever learn to dress himself, but he did just 2 months ago. Now, potty training...we are still working on. lol...
It really IS frustrating isn't it? I just look at persons like Temple Grandin and think, "wow...one day that could be Chandler!"...kind of gives me hope.

Just wanted to send you loads of hugs and let you know you aren't alone!

 

[TEWINOHIO]

Just wanted to add my support. Since I know there is really no answer here. Every autistic child is different. Jon my 12 year old can read short sentence books, but still not sure how much of it is "reading" and how much is memorizing the book after reading through it once with me or his teacher. But he has come a very long way...but very slowly. As as we all know...everything is neasured in small steps!

I am with 3 kidsmommy though..if we could only completly master potty training!!!

 

[TinkTatoo]

My DS (autistic) and my DD (aspergers) have both recently been diagnosed with dyslexia. The psychological test also revealed that DD has a superior IQ 129 which we didn't realize. Could dyslexia be the reason why your DS can't read. If he is functioning well in all other areas this might be the reason

 

[SueM in MN]

My neurotypical child didn't learn to read in first grade; it just didn't make sense to her (and besides, she had a good memory, so she told me if she wanted to remember a book, all I would have to do is read it to her and then she would be able to remember it). by the end of 2nd grade, things finally clicked and she is now an adult who is a very good reader and has read more than most of her peers.

My younger DD has multiple disabilities; her main diagnosis is cerebral palsy. One of the problems she had with school was that it WAS boring for her. She worked on the same things over and oever because she got 'stuck' in the IEP rules that you have to meet a goal before going on. we had problems early on because her Early Childhood teacher didn't make new goals; as DD made progress, she just 'upped' the percentage of times DD had to answer correctly to meet the goal (like, she had some goals that were 4 out of 5 times and when she met that, she got the same goal, but had to do it 9 out of 10 instead). If I knew then what I know now, I would have fought that more and I would have done some of the things that people have mentioned in this thread that sort of move the learning to other things (like WDW maps). One of my DD's problems was that she figured out pretty quickly when people were trying to test her and if it looked like a test to her, she was not doing it. It was way too anxiety producing and she would just shut down. So, I'd suggest trying to bring reading into some things that he can see are useful (like following a simple recipe, etc.)

 

[mommyandmore]

I teach 4-6th grade special ed and I find that every kid with autism is so different! Most of my kiddos with ASD are sight word readers because visual skills are a strength but I have had ASD kids in the past who struggled with visual processing and visual memory and that does make it harder. Have you tried the colored overlays that some kids use? Sometimes those help a lot. Or even just using an index card or a "window" to make it clear what line of text you are reading. You could try making it more auditory- telling him the letters/sounds and having him blend orally? There are tons of "Step into Reading" books that are leveled and about Disney characters- that might motivate him! Check ebay and you might find them cheap! Also, the kids in my class love books about themselves- I just take pictures of activities we are doing and type up a simple sentence or two and put them on facing pages in a mini photo album. Takes only a few minutes and you can really adapt the sentences to what he is working on. Maybe make some from past Disney trips?
Also, the kids in my class LOVE the Leapfrog phonics videos- I know you said he likes videos so those might be good for him to watch repeatedly and learn from. They also love Disney sign along songs- we watch them a few times with the sound on and then it is sound off only- so they are reading along!
Don't worry- he'll get there eventually.

 

[hookedup]

My son is repeating kindergarten, partially to work on social stuff, but mainly because of reading. He is really bright but the process of reading is extremely complicated and so much has to happen for it to work. I feel your pain. It is hard to watch them stuggle at counting and organizing. My ds is such a wonder in so many ways I really feel if he could master reading he would get by in other areas where he struggles academically,

Lots of good advice posted above, the visual side of it can really affect the processing. The phoenimic awareness of your child will tell a lot about where he is in the process of learning to read.My ds is sight word guru but cannot sound out a word and gets very frustrated easily.

There are huge connections in brain functioning and sensory processing too. I have started giving my son a Children's DHA (cod liver oil) supplement after talking to our pediatrician, there are some connections between sensory processing and reading that EFA supplements have helped in some kids.
Has it helped? I cannot be sure but he has started to rhyme recently and last week he sounded out his very first word on his own "tag" He was so proud his teacher and I were almost in tears! I guess what I am really trying to say is don't give up and I am sending you some hugs to help you keep strong! Good luck!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm checking them out right now.

I also love, love, love the LeapFrog DVDs and games! That's how Ryan learned what sounds the letters make in the first place, by watching the "Letter Factory" DVD. Then, if he needed to remember what sound a letter makes when he wasn't watching the video, he would just sing the song from the video, and he would remember. We also have the Letter Factory board game, and the "Talking Words Factory" DVD.

 

[lisafromgeorgia]

You may also want to try RPG (Role Playing Games) for his video game system. These games really jumped started my DS desire to read because it combines his love of video games and reading. My son is 20 now and I promise you that this does get easier as they get older.

 

[shoegirl1020]

Recently another dis member posted about her son with Central Auditory Processing Disorder. I looked into it and it sounded a lot like my son. He has been diagnosed with everything from PDD to mood disorder to ODD and ADHD. Unfortunatley his IQ is not high enough (you need an "average cognative abilities to participate in CAPD testing).

But Joe has the same problems your son is having. He can remember every name of every YuGiOh card he has, but can't remember how to spell Yes.

I would look up CAPD on the internet and see if it's somehting that fits your son's problem.

Good Luck

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Our DS11 with Aspergers is a voracious reader now but when he was in First Grade reading or learning to read was a horrible struggle full of tears and yelling, etc... The nightly homework was a nightmare! Finally a therapist suggested a "developmental eye exam" administered by a pediatric opthomologist. He had to take a 1 1/2 hr, very thorough, test in two parts but we found out a lot from this.

First, we learned that DS was indeed so smart that he had fooled the school nurse and passed the vision screening at school several times! But he also had astygmatism, was far sighted, and needed bifocals, too! For the next year we had to do vision therapy, a series of eye exercises. 30 mins per day, five days each week or something like that. He wore the glasses because we said he looked like Harry Potter and he tolerated the exercises because they include wearing a pirate eye patch.

As much time and effort as that took - it was so worth it! He loves reading now! I always encourage people who have struggling children to get a developmental eye exam right away just to make sure. Good luck to you and your DS!

 

[famofsix]

I just wanted to thank the OP for bringing this up. I have a late reader whom I decided to homeschool because I have the resources and I am a certified teacher (it helps but you can homeschool successfully without the certification). For me, I have to find unusual ways to keep DS interested in the learning. I have specific objectives, but for example, we were doing math facts today by playing monopoly Jr. I added a die (the game comes with only one) and he wasn't allowed to move his car until he wrote the math fact down on paper. He thought this was great. We worked a little on the reading of the places he landed on but not every one because that would be too boring. He loves playing hangman with our whiteboard and for some reason really likes doing phonics worksheets but not sentence fill in the blank. I am having him professionally evaluated to see if he is LD or something else. All I can say is be creative and advocate for your child, OP. It sounds like that's what you are doing and stay away from nay sayers who think every child needs to read by first grade or Kindergarten. For your child, you may benefit from playing memory games with words or repeated board games that have some reading (scrabble junior, boogle jr. or fun games that have spaces you need to read). The more repetition he gets, the more likely those words will go to his long term memory. The board games really help with visual spacial and one-to-one correspondence. Last year, we played chutes and ladders almost everyday! I got a lot of games cheap at goodwill and ebay. I always count the pieces at goodwill before I buy though!
If you feel his curriculum is boring him and he is interested in science etc. read to him for now and give him a journal to write a few sentences in about the content or to draw illustrations or diagrams. I hope that helps a little. We all want the best for our kids and you're doing a great job. learningpage.com has printable worksheets for handwriting that helped my son.