Teaching autistic children reading can be challenging and  time-consuming, but worth the effort and very rewarding. Autism is one  of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders and impacts the way that the  child reacts and looks at the world around him. There is no single thing  that helps autistic children learn to read. Experts often disagree on  how to approach learning, and every child is different and learns  differently. Autism can range in severity from very moderate and highly  functioning to very severe and barely functioning. Because the child has  special needs, patience, determination and creativity are of the utmost  importance. It is essential that a person planning on teaching autistic  children reading understand the characteristics and needs of an autistic child.

<em>(Source: Love to Know, <a title="Love to Know website" href="http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Teaching_Autistic_Children_Reading" target="_blank">http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Teaching_Autistic_Children_Reading</a>)</em>

If all children need good books to grow, then autistic children really need good books around them! Since Usborne books are the most educational books ever made, they can really assist parents working with their special needs child.

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<h2>Selecting books for special needs children (especially those with autism)</h2>
Autistic children love non-fiction (fact-based) with actual pictures which helps the child to understand the world around him/her in a topic they are very interested in.  In our confusing world, they find comfort and order in those familiar, recognizable things.  Also, they usually love the computer (it’s predictable), so Internet-Linked books are great!

Here is a list of skills and which books are very helpful.

(a) Reading comprehension: <a title="Spin &amp; Match set" href="http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=G3431&amp;gid=100571593&amp;emkt=232&amp;title=Spin+%26+Match+Set&amp;sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dspin%2Band%2Bmatch" target="_blank">Spin &amp; Match</a>

(b) Learning language: first word board books, first word cards, everyday words sticker books, first 100 or 1000 sticker books

(c) Sensory integration: all touchy-feely books

(d) Visual discrimination: Find the Duck, Look and Say board books, and 1001 Things to Spot (more advanced)

(e) Social stories: all first experiences stories

(f) Motor planning: I Can series (crayon, finger paint, draw ~ all teach doing something in steps)

(g) Fine motor skills: I Can series (pincher grasp strengthening with fun pictures to draw), lift-the-flap and slot books
<h2>Additional books that will help</h2>
<strong>Picture Books</strong>

The high picture-to-text ratio and length of sentences are ideal for a child with language delay/disorder.

<em>"On the Moon</em> was the first Usborne book that my son brought to me and asked me to read to him over &amp; over. The illustrations also seemed to have a 'calming' effect on him." <em>-- Christine Cheung</em>

<strong>Rhyming Flap Books, such as <em>Who's Making That Smell</em></strong>

The rhyming text will build your child's reading confidence and they will LOVE the repetitive text because it's predictable and helps them memorize the story quicker (often, autistic children enjoy memorizing &amp; repeating).  Of course, the flaps will keep your child engaged and he/she will LOVE to search for the duck.

<strong>Learning Palette</strong>

This will likely be a daily activity in your house.  The product is multi-sensory and interactive, both very appealing to a child with autism.  Working 1 card/1 section at a time makes it not so overwhelming for your child, and the self-correcting feature is great because it's simple and visual.

<em>(Sources: Karen Richards and Christine Cheung, mothers of autistic sons and Usborne Books &amp; More Consultants)</em>