Reading Comprehension

Guide on Using Stories to Develop Skills and Reading Comprehension in Autistic Children and Young Adults

This material, consisting of stories, is specifically designed to teach a variety of skills and improve reading comprehension in autistic children and young adults. Below is an explanation of how to use these stories, what can be found in them, and why they are beneficial for children with autism.

What Will You Find in These Stories?
Diverse Themes: The stories cover topics such as social, emotional, and communication skills, acceptance, independence, daily living skills, and other important themes for adapting to the world.
Relatable Characters: The protagonists often have characteristics that autistic children can identify with, making it easier to connect and understand.
Everyday Situations: The stories focus on daily situations that children may encounter in their lives, allowing them to learn contextually.
Benefits of Using These Stories
Development of Social Skills: They help children understand and practice social interactions, such as asking for help, saying “no,” apologizing, having conversations, and expressing their feelings.
Improvement of Emotional Understanding: The stories teach children to recognize and manage their own emotions and to be empathetic with others.
Encouragement of Self-Expression: Children learn to express their needs and desires appropriately, which can reduce frustration and improve communication.
Flexibility in Use: The activities can be adapted to the individual needs of each child, allowing them to work at their own pace and according to their comfort level.
How to Use These Stories
Reading Aloud: Read the story aloud with the child, pausing to discuss the events and characters. Ask the child about what they think and feel regarding the characters.
Written or Oral Responses: Questions at the end of the stories can be answered in writing or spoken. There is no need to fill in all the answers at once; this can be done over several sessions.
Drawings and Conversations: Use the illustrations in the stories to create conversations. Ask the child to imagine what the characters might be saying or thinking at that moment.
Role-Playing: Implement the suggested role-playing activities at the end of the stories. These games allow children to practice the skills they have learned in a controlled and safe environment.
Additional Tips
Task Division: It is not necessary to complete the entire story or all activities in one session. Divide the work into manageable parts that suit the child’s attention span and energy level.
Individual Adaptation: Adjust activities according to the child’s abilities and needs. Some children may benefit from additional visual support or from repeating the story several times.
Encouragement of Active Participation: Encourage children to actively participate in the story and activities. This can include acting out parts of the story, drawing scenes, or inventing their own endings.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise the child’s efforts and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. This fosters self-esteem and continued interest in learning.
Role-Playing
These activities not only improve social and emotional skills but also provide a fun and educational environment where children can learn and grow at their own pace.