Learning to read is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s development. It’s a gateway to entertainment, participation in society, and endless possibilities for growth and success.
For children with special needs, this journey often requires extra time, creativity, and customization. I taught children with specialized learning needs and have applied each of these methods to not only help them make progress in their reading, but to help them become more aware of what strategies work best for them as individuals so they can become a self-advocator.
With fitting resources and adaptable strategies, your child can develop into a skilled and self-assured reader. This guide outlines 10 strategies to help children with special needs build foundational reading skills while boosting their confidence.
1. Start with Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and play with the individual sounds in spoken words—is a key building block for reading. This only involves listening, not looking at letters or words. When you can say a word’s sounds separately (such as /c/ /a/ /t/), blend sounds together (say cat smoothly), or change sounds to make new words (cat → bat), you’re using phonemic awareness!
How to Build Phonemic Awareness:
- Play rhyming games: Ask your child to identify words that rhyme, like cat – hat – sat.
- I Spy (With Sounds): Instead of using colors, say, “I spy something that starts with /s/” (e.g., sock).
- Clap out syllables: Help your child hear the rhythm of words by clapping for each syllable. For example, to clap the syllables in the word umbrella, clap once for /um/, once for /brel/ and once for /la/. You will have a total of three claps: Um-brel-la.
Why it works:
Phonemic awareness provides the foundation for decoding words – figuring out how to read a word by looking at the letters and the sounds they make. It’s like putting puzzle pieces together to make a word!
2. Use a Multisensory Approach
Children with special needs often benefit from a multisensory approach, which engages multiple senses—sight, sound, touch, and movement—to reinforce learning.
Examples of Multisensory Activities:
- Playdough Phonemes: Roll playdough into small balls and have your child use one finger to squish one ball for each sound in a word.
- Mirror Sounds: Have kids look in a mirror while saying letter sounds to see how their mouths move.
- Singing with Sound Changes: Sing songs and change the beginning sound of one of the words (e.g., The Wheels on the Bus with /b/ instead of /w/).
Why it works:
Multisensory learning helps kids with diverse learning styles retain information and stay engaged during lessons.
3. Break Tasks into Small, Manageable Steps
Learning to read can feel overwhelming. Breaking the process into smaller, more achievable steps helps children focus and build confidence.
How to Do It:
- One skill at a time. Start with one skill, such as mastering short vowel sounds. Let your child master this skill before moving on to blends, for instance.
- Use visual aids. Progress can be such an abstract concept. Help your child see the progress they are making by using a sticker chart or checklist.
- Keep lessons short and predictable. Set a timer so the session’s start and end are clear and predictable. Fifteen-twenty minutes at a time can be ideal, but you will learn what works best for your child. Incorporating some breaks is also helpful to reset focus and get the wiggles out.
Why it works:
Smaller tasks reduce frustration and make reading more approachable for children who may feel easily overwhelmed.
4. Choose Decodable Books
Decodable books are designed to align with the phonics skills a child is currently learning. These books use predictable patterns and simple words, helping kids build confidence and fluency.
Tips for Using Decodable Books:
- Select books that match your child’s current phonics level. If your child is in school or a reading program, you can touch base with their instructor to find out more about their phonics level.
- Gradually introduce more challenging texts as their skills improve.
- Pair reading with phonics games to reinforce the patterns they encounter in the book. An example of a phonics game is Mystery Bag. If you just read a rhyming book, put objects in a bag and let kids pull one out and say a rhyme for that object. (eg. ball – tall)
Why it works:
Decodable books set kids up for success by allowing them to read words more accurately and independently, which boosts confidence.
5. Incorporate Assistive Technology
For children with special needs, assistive technology can be a game-changer. Tools like text-to-speech apps, audiobooks, and reading software provide valuable support for developing literacy skills.
Recommended Tools:
- Apps that read aloud children’s books: Help kids follow along with written text while listening to it read aloud. Some apps include Booka, Smart Kidz Club, and Speechify Books.
- Audiobooks: Provide an opportunity to enjoy stories without the pressure of decoding every word.
- Dyslexia-friendly fonts: Reduce letter confusion and make text easier to read. Some examples of clean, evenly spaced fonts are Arial, Verdana, Lexend, and Trebuchet MS. It is recommended to use at least size 12-14.
Why it works:
Technology removes barriers and creates a more accessible learning experience, allowing kids to focus on comprehension and engagement.
6. Focus on Sight Words for Fluency
Sight words are high-frequency words that don’t always follow standard phonics rules (e.g., “the,” “said,” “was”). Teaching children to recognize these words instantly helps improve fluency.
How to Practice Sight Words:
- Use flashcards with colorful designs to keep practice fun.
- Play games like sight word bingo or matching activities.
- Display sight words around the house to reinforce them in everyday settings.
Why it works:
Sight word recognition reduces the mental load during reading, allowing children to read more smoothly.
7. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment
There are some thoughtful adjustments which are helpful in making your child’s reading area more comfortable and functional based on their individual needs. Involve your child! Ask them if they have their own preferences and what they think would help them enjoy their reading time.
Extra things you can do:
- Comfortable Seating: Provide supportive seating (bean bags, rocking chairs, cushions, or ergonomic chairs) to accommodate different sensory needs.
- Noise Control: Reduce background noise with rugs, curtains, or white noise machines to minimize distractions. Noise-canceling headphones can also be helpful.
- Fidget Tools: Provide stress balls, fidget spinners, or weighted lap pads for children who need to move while reading.
- Reading Buddy: A stuffed animal, weighted blanket, or even a pet can provide comfort and security while reading.
Why it works:
A personalized, calm reading environment helps make reading feel enjoyable and less like a chore.
8. Encourage Repetition and Practice
Repetition is key to reinforcing reading skills. Rereading familiar texts and practicing phonics patterns helps solidify what your child has already learned.
How to Incorporate Repetition:
- Reread favorite books to build fluency and confidence. This can include you reading the same books aloud to your child as well as having them read the same books independently. While reading books aloud that you have read before to your child, you can encourage them to notice something different in the book they might not have noticed the first or second time.
- Read predictable and patterned books. Choose books with repetitive phrases or predictable structures (e.g., Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?). This helps children anticipate and recall language patterns. When reading these types of books aloud, you can try pausing at words to see if your child will read the missing word on their own.
- Create Personalized Storybooks. Simple, repetitive books that you make together using the child’s name, favorite characters, or familiar situations makes reading more relatable and engaging. Your child can have a hand in creating the story and illustrating!
Why it works:
Repetition helps children internalize reading skills, making it easier to recall and apply them.
9. Work with a Specialized Reading Tutor
Sometimes, professional support can make a world of difference. Tutors trained in structured literacy programs like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading System, such as at the tutoring program Savvy Learning, are equipped to meet the unique needs of children.
What to Look for in a Tutor:
- Training in evidence-based approaches.
- Experience working with children with learning differences.
- Positive, patient teaching style that builds trust.
Why it works:
One-on-one instruction provides personalized support tailored to your child’s specific challenges, ensuring steady progress.
10. Celebrate Progress and Be a Motivator
Every milestone—big or small—deserves recognition. Celebrating progress helps children feel proud of their achievements and motivates them to keep trying.
Ideas to motivate your child:
- Set a Reading Goal and Reward: You can use a token board (simple homemade ones on a mini-whiteboard work quite well!) This serves as a concrete visual of the progress they are making and is helpful for working toward a reward. First, work with your child to choose a reward (For example, a minute of play time with a favorite toy). Each time the child successfully completes the goal, for example, comes up with a rhyming word or reads a page with you, they receive a token (e.g., a star or checkmark) placed on the board. Once the child collects all the required tokens, they earn their predetermined reward. After receiving the reward, the board is reset, and the child starts earning tokens again. An example picture is below:
- Join or Start a Book Club: Discussing books with others can be fun and motivating!
- Try Different Genres: Don’t stick to one type—explore fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels, etc.
- Share successes with friends and family members and let your child hear it! This builds a sense of pride.
Why it works:
Positive reinforcement creates a growth mindset, which is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. This makes reading more about the journey.
Conclusion
There are ways to make learning and reading more personalized and in-tune with your child’s specific needs. By focusing on the foundational skills with phonics, incorporating technology, and celebrating every step forward, you can create a supportive learning environment that helps your child thrive.
Remember, progress may come in small steps, but every step is a victory. With consistent practice, encouragement, and the right resources, your child can build the confidence and skills needed to become a lifelong reader.
Start today—your support can make all the difference!
