ASD Reading is a patented, research-based, adaptive software that teaches children on the spectrum --and others with significant language processing difficulties --to read and write to a third grade level. It provides a customized education for each student based on his or her abilities. This means that the program works for all students across the spectrum from those who are non-speaking children to those who are at the upper end of the continuum.

Checklist for what you need to use the program

  • Children who are non-speaking:
    Without requiring any spoken (expressive) language, the reading and writing activities of ASD Reading empower the children to develop a rich language system that enables them to understand the language they encounter in daily life, to enjoy and comprehend the language of books and to produce written messages for others. If a child is at least 3 years of age and not speaking, the program offers an excellent avenue to rich and effective language development. As a result of exposure to the program, some "non-speaking" children begin to speak. 

  • Children who have restricted spoken language:
    Many children with language restricted to short formulations (generally under three to four words) cannot deal effectively with traditional reading instruction. For these children, ASD Reading offers a path to success. Although it does require expressive language, many children show improved spoken language through the written language mastery they attain. The program can be used with children four years of age on up.

  • Children with good decoding skills but poor comprehension:
    Many children on the spectrum find decoding to be easy and are able to accurately read complex texts, even at sixth grade level and above. However, their performance is marked by significant comprehension problems. Sometimes their performance is referred to as "word calling." ASD Reading is ideal for enabling these children to master the comprehension skills that have for so long eluded them. From the very outset, it offers the information they need to understand the "little" words that they often find so puzzling--words such as "those, but, then, after," etc.). Then it proceeds to teach other key skills needed for comprehension such as summarization. Within a few months, both their spoken and written language skills advance in ways that are invaluable for their success in school and in social relationships. The program can be used across the age span—starting with children four years and above.