Top Tips for Author Visits: How to help children with learning or behavioural disorders enjoy reading

 Children with learning and behavioural disorders, like my sons and niece, are notoriously reluctant readers.  They have trouble integrating sensory input and reading involves more senses than you realise: the size and shape of the book, the colours, the type, the feel of the cover and the pages, the way the words on the page are read aloud and the need to be stationary in order to decipher the code they call reading.

Consider a child who struggles with sensory processing when it comes to reading
 Unless it is a well known book, the fact the words are unknown can be unnervingMay be distracted by background noises  Doesn't like the close proximity of the reader to the child Wanting to read the pages out of order
Tips to help
 Let them touch the book before you start reading. It might take a couple of tries or you might like them to select their own book before you read your own.  Establish a comfortable personal space  Be slow and deliberate in your movements, especially when turning the page and pointing to words Keep your voice low and calm, limiting expression to what is needed for understanding Look at the pictures in the book first before going back and reading the words. Allow fidgety behaviour and  if the child is unable to sit still, stand up and walk around while reading
Sensory issues can affect daily functioning in young children but with the right strategies introduced as early as is appropriate for each individual child, they can come to see books as a source of enjoyment, a place of knowledge and they too can become life long readers.

If you would like to talk more about SPD and reading, or if you would like me to come to your special school to do an author visit, please contact me.

Talk soon
x Michelle

www.michelleworthington.comwww.michelleworthington.com