This powerpoint addresses literacy in young children with special needs. For teachers, librarians, and other professionals, there are some specific strategies that will be useful in helping these children read. This presentation does not address reading instruction specifically (such as phonics, etc.), but rather, methods that will make it easier for children with certain special needs to read and enjoy reading. Such strategies include the use of available assistive technology, as well as adapted books.

1. An Introduction to Strategies
for Helping Children with
Special Needs Read
Courtney Fischer
University of North Carolina – Greensboro
March 2012

2. Dyslexia and Other Learning
Disabilities
- Dyslexia: often,
difficulty in reading;
see letters out of
order or in reverse
- Well-spaced words
and clear lettering
- Audio books
- BookTalker and
BookWorm

3. Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities
- General strategies
helpful
- Developmentally-
appropriate books
- Reading together
and out loud

4. Motor Skill Impairments
- Adapted devices
- Electronic
readers
- Use of Dycem
- Bookstands
- Computer
programs

5. Blindness and Visual
Impairments
- Braille or large print
- Audio books
- Book stands and supports
- Adequate lighting
- Magnifying devices
- Screen readers and text
scanners
- Sensory items added to
adapted books

6. Deafness and Hearing
Impairments
- Hearing aids and
amplification
devices
- Books in
American Sign
Language (ASL)
or Signed English
- Video translations

7. Adapted Books
- Pre-made versus
DIY
- Pictures above
words
- Page-turners
- Sensory items
- Laminate pages
- Scanning a book

9. Available Assistive Technology Recap
- BookTalker and
BookWorm
- iPad and electronic
book devices
- Glare-reduction
screens and
magnifiers
- Hearing amplifiers
- Audio books
- Video technology

10. Resources
- North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
- Focus on Literacy program, of A Brighter Path
Foundation in Winston-Salem
- Local library systems
- Online resources

11. References
Berkeley, S., & Lindstrom, J. H. (2011). Technology for the struggling reader: Free and easily accessible resources.
Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(4), 48-55.
Darnell, M. (2004). Reading with dyslexia. Retrieved from
http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/reading-with-dyslexia.html
Erickson, K. A., Hatch, P., & Clendon, S. (2010). Literacy, Assistive technology, and students with significant disabilities.
Focus On Exceptional Children, 42(5), 1-16.
Goldin-Meadow, S., & Mayberry, R. I. (2001). How do profoundly deaf children learn to read? Learning Disabilities Research
& Practice, 16(4), 222-229.
Kirchner, R. (2010). Reading tips for children with dyslexia. Retrieved from
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Reading_Tips_Dyslexia
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. (1995). 15 principles for reading to deaf children. Retrieved from
http://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc_center/information_and_resources/info_to_go/language_and_literacy/literacy_at_the_cle
rc_center/welcome_to_shared_reading_project/15_principles_for_reading_to_deaf_children.html
NYC Department of Education. (2012). Adapted books. Retrieved from
http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/District75/Departments/Literacy/AdaptedBooks/default.htm#ar
Shannon, M. (2006). The A-Z of adapting books for students with disabilities. Retrieved from www.ncatp.org/.../a-z%20of
%20adapting%20books.doc
Turner, N. D., & Traxler, M. (1997). Children's literature for the primary inclusive classroom: Increasing understanding of
children with hearing impairments. American Annals Of The Deaf, 142(5), 350-55.
Wopperer, E. (2011). Inclusive literature in the library and the classroom. Knowledge Quest, 39(3), 26-34.