How Reading as a Family Impacts Special Needs and Disabilities

Reading offers many benefits for children of all abilities. 

However, for those with special needs or disabilities (learning or physical) it can be especially impactful. When families read together, they create meaningful bonding moments. This time builds emotional connection and skill development. 

Children can strengthen existing skills as well as develop new ones, including: speech/language, listening, memory, social skills, motor and play skills, and imagination. Reading as a family also helps foster a positive relationship with books, making reading more enjoyable and accessible for every child.

Tips for reading with children with special needs or disabilities

1. Read books your child is fixated on. Repetition helps kids learn language. 

2. Look for books with sound, texture, and pop-outs, especially for younger children. 

3. Ask simple questions about what is happening on the page, especially facial expressions and what characters might be feeling. 

4. Use appropriately sturdy books to help make holding and turning pages easier, based on age and motor skills. 

5. Take breaks. 

6. Turn off devices (cell phones, TV, computers, video games). 

7. Draw pictures of what you read about.