# data[].attributes.headline
Because students with autism process information differently, this can result in reading difficulties.  Read below to learn about six common barriers and reading challenges students with autism face:

# data[].attributes.subject
Because students with autism process information differently, this can result in reading difficulties.  Read below to learn about six common barriers and reading challenges students with autism face:

# data[].attributes.body
Difficulty with comprehension

Even if a student is able to decode text with ease, students with autism commonly struggle to make meaning from what they have read due to language impairments, abstract thinking deficits, and and difficulty making inferences.

Limited Vocabulary

Students with autism struggle to develop vocabulary beyond concrete, literal terms and can prevent them from understanding the full meaning of a text.

Sensory and Attention Issues

It is common for students with autism to have sensory needs and/or sensitivities as well as difficulty regulating and sustaining attention which can hinder their ability to develop literacy reading skills.

Interest in Reading Material

If texts do not align to the student's interest or are too complex, motivation can drop dramatically.

Because students with autism often have fixed or restrictive interests, it is often necessary to find reading material in line with their interests in order to sustain attention/motivation.

Poor Narrative Language Skills

Many autistic students experience delays in expressive and/or receptive language which has a direct impact on reading comprehension due to issues with word meaning or understanding how language conveys ideas.

# data[].attributes.body
Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words. This skill is important in learning to read because it helps students understand that words are made of distinct sounds that can be combined, broken up, or rearranged.

# data[].attributes.body
Phonics refers to matching spoken sounds to letters or groups of letters. Teaching children to blend the sounds of letters together helps them decode unfamiliar or unknown words by sounding them out.

# data[].attributes.body
What is ReadingBear.org?

Reading Bear is a free online program that teachers phonics and vocabulary to early readers by systematically introducing all the main phonetic patterns of English using engaging, multimedia instruction.

Why is it useful for students with ASD?

Reading Bear uses a multisensory approach (text, audio, and visuals) to teach phonics skills. Students with autism require multiple means of input, especially when paired with visuals, to best process information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Bear: Free Phonics & Vocabulary – K-12 Internet Resource Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reading Bear, a project of WatchKnowLearn.org, is the first free program online to teach beginning readers vocabulary and concepts while systematically introducing all the main phonetic patterns of written English, all using innovative rich media. We spent an enormous amount of time developing 50 presentations, covering even more phonics principles and illustrating over 1,200 vocabulary items. There is nothing else like it, free or otherwise.

# data[].attributes.headline
Technology #2: Teach your Monster to Read

# data[].attributes.subject
Technology #2: Teach your Monster to Read

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Teach Your Monster to Read is a free online, game-based program designed to supplement phonics and phonemic awareness instruction.

It provides personalized learning and targeting practice to close gaps in instruction while providing feedback to parents and educators.

Why is it useful?

This program is particularly helpful in supporting phonics instruction for students with autism because it offers:

visual and auditory reinforcement

engaging, game-based learning

structure and predictability

simple instructions

easy customization

multisensory input

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About the game

Covers everything from letters and sounds to reading full sentences.

Designed in collaboration with leading academics.

Complements all synthetic phonics programmes used in schools.

Computer version is 100% free.

Watch the Teach Your Monster to Read trailer

At home and school

Our games are designed to complement programmes used in schools. This game is Google Play Teacher Approved.

Find out how

Create a monster and take it on an adventure through a magical world.

Lots of blending, segmenting and tricky words.

Your monster travels to exciting places, meets fun characters, plays games and wins prizes as they learn the first steps of reading.

Three games that cover the first two years of learning to read. From matching letters and sounds to enjoying little books.

Minigames help children to develop speed and accuracy of letter and sound recognition.

Teach a monster today!

Try the game

Reviews

"This App is AMAZING!! When my youngest was just starting to read, we found this App and within 2 weeks she was a full blown reader!! She's 8 now and can read past the 5th grade level! Well worth it!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Home School Parent, USA, Google Play

"We love this app so so much! The concept of "you learn better if you teach" really is true! Highly recommend!!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Teacher, USA, Amazon

"Great app for teaching letter recognition and sounds as well as putting them together and beginning to read. My kids really enjoyed playing this game." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Parent, USA, Appstore review

Download on Apple, Android and Amazon devices today!

Award winning educational games for children

🍪 We use cookies

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teach Your Monster to Read: Award-winning phonics and reading games

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teach Your Monster to Read - The ground-breaking game that makes learning to read fun!

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Otsimo Special Education is an educational app designed for special needs students, especially students with autism and language impairments.

The interactive, game-based set up engages students in practicing phonics and phonemic awareness skills in a context suited to their needs.

How is it useful?

Otsmio Special Education was designed with special education students, specifically those with autism in mind by incorporating the following:

Speech/language therapy and AAC tools

Blending visual and auditory learning tools to allow for multisensory learning

Interactive game-based learning

Individualized learning that adapts to student learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Special Education and Speech Therapy Apps for Autism | Otsimo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Otsimo offers special education and speech therapy apps for autism, down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Click to see our autism apps!

# data[].attributes.body
When teaching reading, vocabulary refers to a student's knowledge of words, including their meanings, pronunciations, and how they are used in different contexts.

# data[].attributes.body
Comprehension refers to understanding and making meaning of text during and after reading. It is a complex cognitive process that requires analysis and inferencing ability.

# data[].attributes.body
In reading, fluency refers to the ability to read text accurately using appropriate expression and rate. When one is able to read fluently, they are better able to focus on making meaning from the text.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Visual dictionary, visual thesaurus, interactive lexicon

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

"Visuwords" is a free, online website that creates visual concept maps to define and explain any term typed into the search bar.

The word maps use color coded lines to show word relationships such as synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and word families.

Why is it useful?

Visuwords defines and provides examples of words using color-coded branching diagrams, which appeals to the strong preference for visual learning by most students with ASD.

The word maps created are interactive (clicking on any word in the word map will expand the map). This increases engagement and promotes independent learning.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

IXL is an online learning platform that provides personalized practice and curriculum support to students in grades K-12. It is an adaptive program, meaning it adjusts to student skill level and progress.

Each grade level offers targeted practice in vocabulary skills (context clues, categorizing, morphology) according to grade level standards.

Why is it useful?

IXL can help students with ASD strengthen vocabulary skills by:

using a clear, predictable format

adjusting to student level to prevent boredom or frustration

providing audio support (text to speech)

providing immediate feedback and reinforcement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The exact skills you need

Planning a lesson or prepping for an exam?
We've custom-built IXL skills to reinforce each topic within your:

State standards

Virginia Standards of Learning (2016)

Textbooks

See skills that match every chapter of 80+ popular textbooks

Assessments

Use IXL for the NWEA MAP, ACT, SAT, and more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site for K-12. Used by over 15 million students, IXL provides personalized learning in more than 10,000 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

# data[].attributes.headline
Technology #3: Boom Cards by Boom Learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Technology #3: Boom Cards by Boom Learning

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Boom Cards are interactive (web or app based) lessons and activities in the form of a digital flash card deck that can be built by teachers, therapists, or parents.

Why is it useful?

Boom Cards are perfect for developing vocabulary in students with autism for the following reasons:

interactive and multisensory practice learning new words.

feedback is provided immediately

visual supports

self-based

repetitive and predictable

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Boom Learning | Empowering teachers and students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Boom Cards transform the classroom into an interactive, gamified learning experience with data to track progress and identify learning gaps.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Raz-Kids is an online learning platform consisting of over 800 books on a variety of topics and themes. All texts are full of interactive features such as text highlighting, animation, text-to-speech, built in comprehension strategy practice, and after reading quizzes.

Why is it useful?

Raz-kids has built in incentives to motivate students to read and complete activities.

The content is customizable which allows teachers to assign texts and activity to match student interests and increase engagement.

Built-in during reading comprehension strategies guide students through processes needed to make meaning from text.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

News2you is an online, weekly newspaper that reports on current events in an accessible format (differentiated into four levels) geared towards the special needs population and those with reading difficulties.

Why is it useful?

News2you is designed to build comprehension by connecting students to real current events happening in the world around them using features such as added visual supports and symbols, a flexible online platform, and options for whole group learning and discussion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Expand horizons and
inclusivity through current events

When students can engage in meaningful conversation with their peers and families about world events, the immediate result is a positive sense of belonging. But the issue-based learning in each weekly edition of News2you also comes with many long-term benefits: the standards‑aligned articles and activities help students build life skills, become more motivated learners and even discover career options.

Access to a world beyond the classroom

As they experience new ideas through the content in News2you, students not only build comprehension and context relative to their community and world, they also develop new critical‑thinking and communication skills‑forming and expressing opinions about what they're learning. They're preparing to become productive citizens in life beyond the classroom.

Explore More

Improved language and literacy skills

Research confirms that students who have access to newspapers in the classroom perform better on standardized reading tests. And for students with unique learning needs, the benefits of interacting with the informational text in each weekly edition are especially far reaching- expanding skills in reading, vocabulary, writing, digital literacy and more!

Explore More

Enriching, relevant instruction and activities

Many classrooms across the country begin each day with "morning meeting," and there's no better way to spark conversation than with the day's news and weather. Our solution helps you build engaging class routines with easy access to Today's Weather and Breaking News-plus a full range of engaging newspaper features and activities to supplement and enrich instruction all day long.

Explore More

A flexible platform that grows with your technology

The platform is both simple and powerful-easily working with the technology and n2y solutions you have now and seamlessly adaptable to the systems you'll have in the future.

Explore More

Unlimited access for one service provider to the weekly online newspaper throughout the school year (monthly during the summer)

New current events articles in each issue plus dozens of standards-aligned activities and recurring features

Differentiation to four levels, with text supported by symbols from SymbolStix PRIME, plus one text-only version and the option for text to speech

Access to regular updates and additions

Easy delivery online or in print, and integration with other n2y solutions

I love News2you! I've been using it for nearly 20 years and have seen tremendous growth in my students. One of my favorite stories is about a little guy we had a while back, who had some significant disabilities, and after reading News2you, he returned to school and said, "˜Miss, I saw this on the news with my dad, and we talked about it.' I thought, how wonderful, what a great communication opportunity for their family.

Mickie Korab

Teacher

Lubbock Independent School District, TX

Building Routines Around Today's Weather

Practical strategies for creating classroom morning routines.
Read Article

4 Reasons Why I Recommend News‑2‑You

Accessible, relevant support for students with communication challenges
Read Article

Help Students With Disabilities Meet High Expectations

Maintain high but achievable expectations with your students with disabilities.
Download White Paper

I love News2you! I've been using it for nearly 20 years and have seen tremendous growth in my students. One of my favorite stories is about a little guy we had a while back, who had some significant disabilities, and after reading News2you, he returned to school and said, "˜Miss, I saw this on the news with my dad, and we talked about it.' I thought, how wonderful, what a great communication opportunity for their family.

Mickie Korab

Teacher

Lubbock Independent School District, TX

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Introducing students to News2you helps them meet ELA standards and creates connections to the world.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Learning ally is an online collection of audiobooks that are narrated by human readers. Texts are aligned to grade level curriculum and many feature interactive comprehension supports.

How is it useful?

Learning Ally's audiobooks help students with autism increase reading comprehension abilities in the following ways:

Human reader narration is rich in intonation and expression, which helps students infer emotions and nuances in language which is often a difficult task for students with ASD.

Integrated strategies such as repeated reading chunking text are proven to increase comprehension skills.

Listening to audiobooks reduces the cognitive load of decoding, allowing readers to focus on making meaning of the text.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Audiobooks for Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities | Learning Ally

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learning Ally Audiobooks for Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities help struggling readers in school and students with reading challenges.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Epic is an online library of over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and learning videos geared towards students ages 4-12.

How is it useful?

Students with autism can read books on topics that align with special interests which increases engagement.

Audio books that have highlighted text corresponding to narration increase fluency by providing students with a fluent model.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

TumbleBooks is an online library of eBooks featuring well known children's book titles.

How is it useful?

Pairs strong visual support with auditory models to build reading fluency and comprehension.

Repetition and replay options help students listen to a practice fluent reading.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What a treasure. This site is extremely useful for non readers of all ages. My children just love it. I have shared this site with many of our special needs teachers across our county. Thanks so much for providing such a fun, affordable, and worthwhile product.
Renee
Special Education Teacher, MI
We love TumbleBooks!!! I should add the kids do, too!! TumbleBooks has allowed us to introduce a vast collection of books to students and they W A N T to read. It gives them choice, gives them some control over their own learning, all while at an appropriate reading level. What could be better?
Kathy
Reading Consultant Seth Haley School, CT
I love this site! The fact that the levels of books available are so far-reaching makes this a wonderful site for classrooms---virtually any child can utilize the features on this site. The book report feature is great as well--right along with many of the standards we are teaching in our classrooms, and a great tool for guiding students. The quizzes offer students feedback, and also encouragement as they continue to read. This promotes a feeling of success among students, and furthers their love for literature and reading.
Tammy
Curriculum Coach, SC
This is the best interactive read aloud website I have found. My students and I love it. We can always locate a book easy that connects to what we have been studying. The students love to watch the pictures, and as they progress with their decoding skills they pick out words that they know. When we watch one of these books, I have to pause it after every page so they can find all their sight words that are on the page. The website makes it like have a celebrity reader in our room daily. Thank you so much for your wonderful reading website.
Brandi
Kindergarten, AL

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TumbleBookLibrary is a curated database of children's e-books, available by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world. TumbleBookLibrary Premium has over 1100 titles for grades K-6, and includes our unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, non fiction books and videos, curated playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.

# data[].attributes.body
What is it?

Kurzweil 3000 is a comprehensive assistive technology platform with text-to-speech capability and many other customizable learning tools.

How is it useful?

Kurzweil 3000 can increase reading fluency skills in students with autism in the following ways:

Text-to-speech highlights sentences as their spoken out loud so students can follow along and develop word recognition and pronunciation.

Customizable reading rate and presentation

Natural text-to-speech voices to best model fluent reading.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kurzweil Education is the leading developer of educational technology for people with learning difficulties (Kurzweil 3000) and those who are blind or visually impaired (Kurzweil 1000).