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ASD Reading is an online, research-based program designed to teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) how to read, write, and comprehend language. Developed by Dr. Marion Blank, a renowned expert in language and literacy, the program uses a structured, step-by-step approach that combines visual, auditory, and interactive elements to accommodate the unique learning needs of children with ASD.

ASD Reading is especially effective for building reading fluency because it focuses not only on phonics, but also on meaning, sentence structure, and comprehension—areas where children with ASD often struggle. Its adaptive design ensures students progress at their own pace, while the engaging, multi-sensory activities help reinforce language patterns and boost retention. This holistic and accessible approach makes it a strong tool for helping learners with ASD develop fluency and confidence in reading.

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It requires no prerequisite skills - all children can use the program-even those who are non-verbal.

It uses graphics, audio and animation extensively to reinforce
meaning.

It links written and spoken language so that one mirrors and reinforces the other.

It provides customized instruction that adapts to each child's specific skills and needs.

It systematically assesses a child's skills and overcomes error patterns and difficulties.

ASD Reading is based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Marion Blank, a world-renowned literacy and language expert who developed and served as Co-Director of the Columbia University Developmental Neuropsychiatry Program for Autism and Related Disorders.

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Reading Books, Programs & Activities for Kids & Child | ASD Reading

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It requires no prerequisite skills - all children can use the program-even those who are non-verbal. It uses graphics, audio and animation extensively to reinforce meaning. It links written and spoken language so that one mirrors and reinforces the other. It provides customized instruction that adapts to each child's specific skills and needs.

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ReadWorks provides reading comprehension resources, including fluency-building activities and articles for various reading levels.

With its free resources, ReadWorks offers texts designed to improve fluency through timed reading exercises and comprehension activities. These can be easily adapted to meet the needs of students with autism, promoting both fluency and comprehension.

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ReadWorks | Award-Winning, EdTech Nonprofit Organization

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ReadWorks is an edtech nonprofit organization that is committed to helping to solve America’s reading comprehension crisis.

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Ginger Software is a writing and grammar assistant that provides real-time suggestions for sentence structure, vocabulary, and punctuation. It also includes a text-to-speech tool.

The software can assist students in understanding text structure and improving their comprehension by providing corrections and suggesting clearer ways to express their ideas.

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Ginger Software | English Grammar & Writing App

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Powerful and effortless desktop & mobile solutions for improving your writing and productivity. Ginger Software is your personalized editor - everywhere you go.

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Snap&Read is a text-to-speech tool highlighting words as they are read aloud, which can help students understand complex texts. It also supports annotation and vocabulary-building features.

The text-to-speech feature helps students with autism follow along and understand the text, while the ability to adjust speed and voice makes it a highly customizable tool for individual learners.

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Organization:
University, School(s), or School District

Add the ability to manage your entire organization.

Get everyone on the same page with access to shared data.

Make your life easy with optional domain & subdomain licensing.

Includes access to our deployment and support specialists.

Plans vary so get in touch!

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Read aloud (TTS) accessible and inaccessible text (OCR), simplify difficult vocabulary, and translate English into other languages.

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Bookshare offers free access to audiobooks and digital texts for students with disabilities. The platform supports text-to-speech functionality, allowing students to listen while reading along.

For students with autism who struggle with reading fluency or processing text, Bookshare’s audiobook feature provides auditory support that enhances comprehension by helping them access text in a more accessible format.

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Listen to words read aloud, follow with karaoke-style highlighting, enlarge text, or read in braille

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The Visual Thesaurus is an interactive dictionary and thesaurus that presents words and their synonyms in a dynamic, visual format. It helps students explore words and expand their vocabulary.

Its visual format is especially beneficial for students with autism, who may find it easier to process information through visual aids rather than traditional lists or definitions. The interactive nature also promotes deeper engagement with vocabulary.

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January 18th is celebrated as Thesaurus Day to honor the birthday of the author of the first thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget. Get into the spirit by reading our two-part interview with Roget biographer Joshua Kendall here and here. Also check out an ode to the thesaurus penned by Franklin P. Adams here and Johnny Carson's hilarious "Funeral for a Thesaurus Editor" sketch here.

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Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus - An online thesaurus and dictionary of over 145,000 words that you explore using an interactive map.

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An online thesaurus and dictionary of over 145,000 words that you explore using an interactive map. It's a tool for people who think visually. The most fun you've ever had with words. The Visual Thesaurus was built using Thinkmap, a data visualization technology.

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VocabularySpellingCity helps students improve their vocabulary through spelling and vocabulary games. It allows teachers to create custom lists based on the students’ grade level and needs.

Why It’s Useful: The platform combines vocabulary practice with spelling games, offering an interactive, fun way for students to engage with words and reinforce their learning. The repetition and variety in activities can aid retention, which is key for students with autism.

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Quizlet is a flashcard-based learning platform where students can practice and learn vocabulary through interactive games and quizzes.

Why It’s Useful: The ability to create personalized vocabulary sets and practice them in multiple ways (e.g., flashcards, matching games) provides flexibility and repetition, which is beneficial for students with autism who may need more exposure to new words.

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Raz-Kids allows students to listen to books being read aloud and then record themselves reading. Supports fluency and builds confidence.

The interactive eBooks, along with audio narration, help students with autism practice reading at their own pace, and the built-in quizzes help assess comprehension, making it a comprehensive tool for developing fluency.

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Starfall provides interactive phonics activities, songs, and videos to help children connect sounds with letters. It is designed to support beginning readers.

It is useful because the program’s structured lessons and repetitive, multi-sensory approach are ideal for students with autism, helping them strengthen their phonics skills in a fun and accessible way.

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Reading Rockets provides resources and interactive phonics activities that are specifically designed to improve decoding skills. It includes videos, teaching strategies, and practical tips.

It is useful because the site offers clear, structured, and step-by-step phonics instruction that can be tailored to the individual needs of students with autism, particularly those needing visual or auditory reinforcement.

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Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.

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ABCmouse offers a comprehensive curriculum for early learners, including phonemic awareness and phonics. It uses engaging visuals, interactive lessons, and games to help students connect sounds with letters.

The visually appealing design and gamified learning approach make it an excellent choice for students with autism who may benefit from structured, engaging, and repetitive learning experiences.

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This video provides key insights and tips for parents of students with autism since teaching reading to a child with autism requires a tailored approach that accommodates their unique learning style and needs.

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Let's Conquer Autism - Parent Empowerment Channel

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How To Teach a Reading To Child with Autism | Reading Skills Goals | Tips For Parents

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Reading Fluency refers to the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. It involves recognizing words automatically, reading aloud smoothly, and maintaining comprehension.

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Text Comprehension refers to the ability to understand, interpret, and engage with the text being read. It includes identifying main ideas, making inferences, and understanding themes and concepts.

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Social Communication Difficulties: Students with autism often struggle with understanding social cues, affecting their ability to understand context, tone, and emotional nuances in reading materials.

Difficulty with Abstract Thinking: Comprehending figurative language, idioms, or any non-literal language in text may be a barrier for students with autism.

Sensory Sensitivities: Students may be overwhelmed by bright lights, noises, or other sensory inputs in reading environments, which may distract them from reading tasks.

Difficulty with Focus and Attention: Many students with autism may have trouble maintaining attention for extended reading tasks due to hyper-focus or distractibility.

Repetitive Behavior and Rigidity: Routine preferences can make it difficult for students with autism to engage with varied reading materials or new topics.

Literal Interpretation: Students with autism often have difficulty understanding humor, sarcasm, or other figurative aspects of text, which can lead to misunderstandings during reading.

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Phonemic Awareness and Phonics are fundamental skills for reading development. Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words, while phonics refers to the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters. Both are essential for decoding words while reading.

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Vocabulary skills involve understanding and using words in reading, writing, and speaking. Strong vocabulary skills are essential for reading comprehension, as they help students decode words and understand their meanings in context.