Reading Programs for Children with Autism

[apm]

The Autism teacher at my school has requested that we order the Edmark Reading Program and ERP Software. Is anyone familar with this program? How well does it work? What other reading programs can you suggest for teaching children with Autism to read? What about children who are nonverbal, or who have very few words? Any suggestions will be great! Thanks!

 

[dee]

Edmark

I have used the Edmark reading program, but only the books since our district was too cheap to get the computer software. The books were excruciatingly boring for both me and the student, but the parents insisted until they realized the program wasn't working anyway. (Duh- I had said that for awhile.)

Anyway, my particular student had high-interest with the computer so their computer program might have been ok.

Personally, I am a huge fan of Dr. Fry's sight words, and part of his program are picture nouns. Most non-verbal students need icons anyway, but I'm all for providing conversational icons whenever feasible (drink, food, dog, etc.)

 

[serendipity]

Edmark

I have used the computer version and the kit when I taught Special Education students. I prefer the computer. I agree with the first response. It can be boring. I think I'm right in saying that the intended audience (clients) are students with cognitive impairments (IQ around 70). It has a lot of repetition and builds a concrete sight vocabulary (nouns & some adjecives). There are over 200 lessons in the 1st level. I would start with the lesson on the first sight word (horse) if they have some computer skills. I think it's about lesson 15. If a child completes all the lessons they can usually move into a late grade one sight word reader. Some children don't need or like the program enough to complete it, but it gives them some success and a feel for reading that motivates them to read other material. Children don't need to know letter sounds to work on the program. It is very expensive. I have had several children in the PDD spectrum that liked the structure and predictability of the program. I added the words from the program to the class word wall. I put the stories into a colourful Duo Tang and it did help several children feel like readers. I always wanted to write more exciting stories but never did.

 

[Ranger]

Edmark

I personally LOVE the edmark reading program! With my ASD student it works very well. There are numerous programs with it such as: sight words, restaurant words, community signes, etc. The computer program is alright too, but I don't use that everyday.

Edmark was originally made for students/adults that english is their second language but I think it adapts very well with DCD student (under 70 IQ).

 

[Tarin]

reading programs

I would recommend a relatively new program called eReadingPro. It's not really new I guess, as it used to be called Out of the Box Reading. I attended a workshop here about a year and a half ago. Edmark Reading Program uses mostly dolch words, whereas eReadingPro uses words nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. These words seem to be easier for kids to remember as sight words. It comes with a schedule that takes you from presenting single words, then 'couplets', small phrases and then sentences. We have a child at our school that I've been working with this year who has Down syndrome AND Autism, and she has come a long way using this program! The parents are using it at home with the child and then bring it to school for us to use here. I hope this helps you!

 

[Samsonyte]

EdMark

I am actually trying to get Edmark for my AS class. Anyone selling/getting rid of the program? I need to purchase myself and its almost $500.00 new.

 

[JenGlen88]

Reading Program for kids with Autism - EDMARK

I am an AS teacher and we are currently using EDMARK on the computer. I have 5 students in varying levels. I also have a nonverbal student. We also use Reading Mastery (SRA) with the kids. We use EDMARK as a supplement. I think EDMARK is good for sight words, but the short stories that go with it are not functional. We decided we need a program where the students not only learn to read, but at this stage, read to learn. In my opinion, Edmark is not good for comprehension. It teaches sight word vocabulary but not necessarily functional or group oriented. We are looking at ESL programs such as Treasure Chest (leveled supplemental books, TONS of pictures, VERY function and the students read to learn). For our nonverbal kids - ALL Reading Program.

Please let me know if anyone has any other Reading programs that have worked. We are at a loss in our school!

Hope this helps!

 

[Ursula]

SDC Teacher

The Level I Edmark Reading Program for the computer is well worth the money. It gives a majority of my students the opportunity to become successful reading words and sentences for the first time. Many students can learn to use the program independently which is great! Do not waste your money on the Level II program unless you have enough staffing to provide one on one assistance. All comprehension questions are set up so students read a story , then the question, then decide whether they provided the right answer by clicking the "correct" or "incorrect" button. How ridiculous, every kid in my class figured out very quickly that hitting the correct button meant they got the answer right regardless of whether they knew the answer. It is a fatal flaw in the program.

 

[piperton]

Edmark Program

Sorry, I think Edmark is more for students with low IQs--if the IQ is that low--then it is best to focus on life skills, etc. What are your goals for your child? If learning basic words is such--then Edmark may work. Teachers can make it fun and interesting but I was just so bored trying to work with it in the classroom. If the adults are bored than I cannot imagine how the students must feel about it.

It is very boring and should be done by a trained teacher--not a paraprofessional who is just following the assignments from a teacher.

 

[Duckfood]

Duckfood

I teach special education, grades k-6 for my district. I am a huge advocate of the Edmark reading program as SUPLEMENTAL instruction. I disagree that it is for students of a certain IQ, rather that it for students of a certain disability. It uses Direct Trial Training which is one of the few research-based techniques used successfully with children with autism. I use ReadingAtoZ.com for my direct instruction (even my youngest Kinder students on the spectrum) to teach language awareness and comprehension, and then have them work on Edmark 20 minutes to develop their sightword vocabulary. I see students make steady progress with both of these programs. I would also add that when I start a new child out on Edmark, I have to spend the first chunk of time (sometimes months), teaching the behavior of the computer, how to sit, how to click, how to repeat the words, etc. I focus only on this until it is mastered and then we focus on the words. It's an investment, but one well worth it. After a year in class, they can all work on Edmark (even level 2) independently.

 

[Mom22withAut]

Wow!!

Dee, You sound like a terrible teacher and you clearly don't respect the parents you work for. Yes, that's right. YOU WORK FOR THEM. (Duh)

 

[mama25]

edmark

I agree with mom22. The statement from Dee was unprofessional and not helpful.

 

[CZVicki]

Teacher, Special Education

I have 38 years experience teaching Special Education. If there is one thing I know for sure it is that no one program fits the needs of all students. However, I have had amazing success over the years with Direct Instruction using Distar Reading Mastery and many other SRA products such as Language for Learning, Reasoning and Writing and Connecting Math Concepts. Many of these products are available at Amazon.com, ABE Books and Follett Educational Textbooks at a lower cost than buying new.

 

[theLissachic]

Mom

My son did WONDERFUL on Edmark! In fact I found this because I am looking for it now that I am homeschooling.

 

[klm.1127]

edmark

I am a new special ed teacher and have used the old non-computer version of EDmark. Is the new edition only computer or is both paper (cut and paste, sign language) and computer combined? IN other words how does the new version work?

 

[TeacherRobin]

Teacher

As a special education teacher I argue that teachers work WITH parents, and not FOR them. The two represent important roles as part of a team that collaborates on behalf of the child - the one that the teacher (and parent) is truly working FOR. Saying that the teacher works "for" you gives an impression that you are in a position of authority, and not an equal member of a team that works toward the benefit of your child. This is a faulty perspective that creates a disharmonious and unproductive IEP team. The world of education would be a better place if everyone on the IEP team took equal responsibility for a child's education.