Expert: Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell - 2/25/2010

Question
at the age 23 i never thought of me ever having kids so when i found out i was pregant i was all mixed with differant feelings inside. i feel in love the first time i felt him move and i promised him id always be there for him no matter what.
when he was about 1yrs old i noticed a change in him anyways it took 3 yrs of me fighting the doctors to see that there was something wrong with him.
when i went to enroll him in reg school they wouldn't let me because they too saw there was something wrong and they told me i had to go through the special ed department. they too gave me a hard time since the doctors wouldnt sign the papers saing manuel has autism. . . . well until i stoped being nice and respectful and i was also at the end of my rope i really was about to snap.
then i heard those 6 words "oh i think he has autism" i was happy not that he had autism but that now i could try to find help for him and not just any help but the rite help.
in just 2 years hes talking, reading at a low level . . but hes reading, he can count to 100, and count by2's to 20 and learning to count by 3's. he can add and subtract alittle his writing is a lil poor but he still dont like to hold the pencil in his hand so im still working on that. he can spell some words lol to me hes pretty smart, and he does go to school but im not really happy the schools here in sacramento, ca don't really seem to know how or what to teach kids with autism so i finally got a computer and now im on here tring to find someone who can and will help me teach my son the things he needs to know at home he's in the 1st grade. rite now i have his sight words on a board so he see them and we go over them everyday. i even have them on flash cards that i carry with me and i try to make it a lil fun for him but i still need some more ideas if you can help me or push me to the rite place id be so thankful.
and i do read him everyday he loves books. please help

Answer
Reading to your son every day is certainly one of the most helpful things any parent can do for their child. It's quite all right to read the same ones many times - this helps fix the language in his mind and builds his confidence in predicting what comes next.

Look for books on subjects that interest him and also ones that show the rhythm of language, such as nursery rhymes, and others such as the Dr. Suess books. When you read together, work on joint attention. Point to objects on the page and discuss them. Have him point to items that are mentioned as you read. Try paired reading where you read a line (or page)then he reads the next.

You mention that your son does not like to hold a pencil. Would he prefer to use a marker, a crayon, etc? Have you tried various widths of pencil (fat ones, thin ones, triangular-shaped, ribbed...), or pencil grips (rubber or plastics things you slip on the pencil to aid his grip). This site shows a sampling of some pencil grips: http://www.therapyshoppe.com/therapy/search/results.html?search_in_description=1...

Writing on a horizontal surface while seated can be tiring for kids who have weak hand/arm or trunk muscles. Try a slightly elevated surface by turning a 3" binder on its side and having him write on the slope. Or tape paper to wall and have him write standing up. He could lie on his stomach on the floor to write. Experiment and see what feels best for him.

Making flash cards of his sight words as you are doing can be helpful by keeping them refreshed in his mind. Some kids learn best through visual input, some through what they hear, others through touch or some combination of these. Try to incorporate as many sensory modalities as possible. Let him see and hear the words. He can trace the letters in the air with big arm motions. He could use his finger to trace them in sand and on the carpet. Draw the word in his palm and on his arm with your finger.

There's an inexpensive book I really like for parents who are working with their child on reading skills. You can take a look at it here: http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Reflex-Foolproof-Phono-Graphix-Teaching/dp/0684853...

If you feel that your son is able to decode words on the page but lacks understanding of what he reads, I've written an article on reading comprehension that might help: http://www.autismsite.ca/html/reading_comprehension.html

There are many aspects to learning how to read well. The following link will take you to a free manual that will supply you with lots of strategies: http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=190,211,107,81,1,...

Best wishes,

Sharon A. Mitchell, B.A., B.Ed., M.A., PhD. candidate
www.autismsite.ca