April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate our progress and commitment to supporting research that responds to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Children with ASD have a unique constellation of strengths and weaknesses that impacts their academic and literacy development. Below, we keep the conversation moving by discussing literacy oppositions children on the spectrum may encounter, as well as how we, as a community, can continue providing ALL learners with the high-quality and inclusive literacy education they deserve.

What literacy challenges might a student with ASD face?

Many behaviors that disrupt learning for students with ASD are the result of sensory discomfort. By helping a student with ASD identify and respond to the sensory processing that is inhibiting them, teachers can help eliminate a barrier to learning. In addition, when developing early literacy skills, children on the autism spectrum may experience difficulties with communication and may need extra support in particular areas such as understanding, perspective-taking, attention and seeing the big picture.

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