Recent research titled Reading ebooks and printed books with parents: A case study of children with autism spectrum disorders has provided valuable insights into how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage with different reading formats. This blog aims to help practitioners improve their skills by implementing the outcomes of this research or encouraging further exploration in this area.
Understanding the Study
The study explored how four children with ASD interacted with both animated ebooks and printed books while reading with their parents. The parents were also trained to explain preselected word meanings to their children. The findings were derived from both quantitative and qualitative data, examining vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and engagement levels.
Key Findings
- Children with ASD learned more word meanings from ebooks compared to printed books.
- Three out of four children showed higher engagement with ebooks than printed books.
- Qualitative data indicated that parents felt their children's engagement was higher with ebooks.
- Some multimedia features of ebooks can hinder engagement for children with sensory sensitivities.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners can take several actionable steps based on these findings:
- Leverage Ebooks for Vocabulary Building: Animated ebooks, when combined with parent-led word explanations, can significantly enhance vocabulary acquisition in children with ASD. Practitioners should consider recommending high-quality animated ebooks that align with the storyline to parents.
- Focus on Individual Sensitivities: Given that some children with ASD may have sensory sensitivities, it is crucial to tailor ebook recommendations to each child's unique needs. Practitioners should work closely with parents to identify and mitigate any adverse sensory stimuli.
- Train Parents: Brief training for parents on how to explain word meanings can magnify the benefits of ebook reading. This simple yet effective strategy does not require extensive time or resources.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research. Future studies should aim to:
- Include larger sample sizes to validate these findings.
- Explore the impact of multiple types of animated ebooks.
- Investigate the long-term effects of ebook reading on literacy development in children with ASD.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Reading ebooks and printed books with parents: A case study of children with autism spectrum disorders.
