Reading Lessons

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G'day,

I have a friend who is also aspergers (yes, despite what you may think, I DO have friends! ). His aspergers (at least, we think it's his AS) seems to essentially "block" his brain from recognising different letters and connecting them to sounds, so he is unable to read or write. The teachers gave up on him in 4th grade as a lost cause. I have promised that I would try and help him learn to read, but I have no idea how to go about doing so.

I was thinking of starting with words that are familiar to him, then work from there. He recently got the newest Weird Al Yankovic album from his father for Christmas, which he adores. I have noticed that he seems to recognise, at least to some degree, the track names on the list on the back cover. I was thinking of starting by teaching him how to read the names of the tracks, something he's familiar with and partially knows already, then work from there. He is by no means unintelligent, and I'm fairly sure that once we've broken through his "block" and have him able to connect letters to sounds and create words with them he should have no troubles.

Does anyone have any advice or know of any better ways to go about teaching him?

You MIGHT have him copy the letters one by one. THEN, you will know how HE sees them, and know he is TEACHABLE! Try to just do it like normal.

BTW the "TEACHERS" are a lost cause for giving up and letting him get to the 4th grade without reading! I was reading by the time I was HALF his age! I'm glad I never waited to go to school, I'd probably be ILLITERATE the way some "teachers" are!

Steve

What you're doing sounds fine. I had a similar problem with numbers until I was about fifteen - I still suck at math. What worked was a friend of mine sitting me down and working on it with me. I responded a lot better to her than I did to my teachers and parents; perhaps your friend will be the same?

Suicune, you are a good friend, and my mean that, because you are doing all you can to teach him something which is important for the rest of us.

You could probably keep doing what you are doing (familiarity) and don't give up.

I agree. Work with what he loves and what he knows. Having him copy the words is a great idea. People learn best with what they like. If a person learns how to do something, they will love it.

I was fortunate to have a great teacher in first grade. I was reading at a fifth grade level because of her. I think she was responsible for me eventually acquiring a Master's in English.