Re: Re:(not a) DUMB QUESTION

January 18, 2002

Mandi,

My daughter with apraxia, CHARGE, deafness, verbal, oral and idiomotor

apraxia, autistic characteristics, read BEFORE she used other forms of

communication (signing and PECS) so I certainly believe it can happen.

We knew more about her reading skill when she started to be able to sign

the words to us. But, she first started by fingerspelling with the Manual

alphabet so we knew she wanted to go to the store or to Mc's or the

library. But at that time she could not sign the words for store,

Mc's or library. The letters were much easier for her to

remember/form than the alphabet.

At this point, while reading is usually a way she can receive information,

her comprehension of complex written ideas is limited by her receptive and

expressive language difficulties. And while she appears to have some

dyslexic traits, reading is something she really enjoys and gravitates

toward. She follows lengthy lists of things to do so that is an avenue we

follow when she is stuck. We also find she loves written explanations of

things that we sign to her.

One of the first ways we knew she was coupling the printed word with

objects was that she spend hours rearranging wooden alphabet puzzle pieces

into different words.

I don't think there are any dumb questions. :-)

At 01:51 PM 1/18/02 -0500, you wrote:

>Hi

>Sam is just 5, with dx of 47XYY and Autism. He has no words but many new

>sounds since enzymes. He uses brilliant body language and gestures to

>communicate, supplemented with PECS with which he is now bored. His receptive

>language has improved immensly on enzymes.

>

>Question: Is it reasonable or possible to teach an essentially non verbal kid

>to read? I

Recommended Posts