Encouraging Literacy through Choice and Personal Interests

Children with autism are often more likely to read when they choose books that reflect their own interests. By building a reading experience that feels personal and empowering, we can make reading a rewarding part of their daily lives while supporting literacy growth in an authentic way.

Benefits of Choice and Personal Interests in Reading

• Boosts Engagement: Choosing books that reflect personal passions keeps children excited about reading and encourages them to dive into the story.

• Builds Confidence: When children read about subjects they love, they’re more likely to understand and enjoy the material, which helps build self-confidence.

• Supports Comprehension: Personal connections with the content make it easier for children to understand, remember, and talk about the story.

• Promotes Independence: Giving children a choice in their reading fosters independence, empowering them to explore topics and make reading decisions on their own.

• Expands Vocabulary: Reading about a favourite subject introduces new words in a familiar context, which strengthens vocabulary and language skills.

Creating a Reading Experience Based on Choice and Interests

• Offer a Small Selection: Present 3–5 books or reading materials that align with your child’s interests, from favourite animals to specific characters. Letting them choose makes reading feel empowering and engaging.

• Explore Different Formats: Try picture books, graphic novels, or magazines on their favourite topics. Different formats keep reading fresh and can help them find the style they enjoy most.

• Build on Current Passions: If they’re fascinated by a certain subject, like fairies, dinosaurs or vehicles, look for books that dive deep into those areas. Reading about familiar interests is both exciting and comfortable.

• Create Vocabulary Lists from Interests: Gather words related to their favourite topics. Reviewing these words beforehand makes reading smoother and more enjoyable.

• Incorporate Audiobooks: Audiobooks on their favourite topics allows them to listen while following along in the book, helping them stay engaged without feeling pressured to decode every word.

Kids Carousel

Using Interests to Make Reading Meaningful

How can we make reading feel personally meaningful for children with autism?

• Build a “Favourites” Basket: Set up a special basket with books on their favourite topics. Each day, let them pick a book from the basket, making reading feel like a personal choice.

• Create a Visual Choice Board: Set up a choice board with images of book covers or topics. They can select from this board each day, giving them ownership of their reading.

• Explore and Share Together: Read interest-based books together, discussing fun facts or favourite parts. Shared reading builds understanding and makes the experience more enjoyable.

Celebrate Interests and Progress: Recognise their efforts with a small reward or token of appreciation. Positive reinforcement keeps reading exciting and rewarding.

Call to Action

This week’s call to action is to set up a Favourites basket with a few books on topics your child loves. Let them pick their reading for the day from the basket, creating a reading experience that feels both enjoyable and uniquely theirs.

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