Adapted books, also sometimes called “interactive books,” are a great way to teach children with special needs how to read. They are usually written for specific populations, such as children with autism or dyslexia, and often employ visuals and verbal cues to help the reader keep track of where they are in the book.
Special education is a term used to describe a broad range of educational programs and services that are designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities. These students may have physical, behavioral, or learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to thrive in a regular classroom setting. Adapted books are books that have been adapted in some way to make them more accessible to students with special needs.
The purpose of an adapted book is to allow students with special needs, who may not be able to read a regular book, to still experience the joy of reading. Adapted books are also great for ELL students and those learning English as a second language.
One of the best ways teachers can use adapted books is during independent work time when students need something motivating and engaging for their own level of ability. It may feel like it limits your teaching during this time but think about how much more effective it will be if your students are able to work on their own levels without you constantly redirecting them.
A special education teacher is teaching a class of students with disabilities. She wants to provide her students with books that they will be able to read and enjoy while still learning new skills. The class has a mix of ages and abilities, so she is looking for books that can be adapted to her students’ needs and interests. She would like to find books for her students to read and also for the class to read together.
Adapted books are a wonderful way to engage young learners with disabilities. They are used in classrooms and therapy sessions to increase language, literacy and learning skills while promoting independence. Adapted books are engaging and interactive learning tools that can be used with small groups or one-on-one instruction.
There are so many opportunities for special education teachers to utilize adapted books in the classroom. These books are a great resource that can not only be used in a small group setting but also during independent work time. Adapted books allow students to be more engaged in their reading activities and they can often be used over and over again with different students. They are usually easy to create and the use of visuals is an added bonus.
Adapted books are simple adaptations that involve changing print size, color, or font, or by adding pictures or symbols. In addition to changing the wording of a story or poem, you can add velcro or other tactile features to make the book interactive for students with special needs. The goal is to make reading accessible for all types of learners.
Adapted books are one of the most effective tools for teaching students with autism spectrum disorder. These books are designed to be modified in order to make them more useful for teaching children with learning difficulties, such as those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
She knows that there are a variety of resources available for these kinds of materials, but she doesn’t know where to find them or what the best options are. She has heard about adapted books, but isn’t sure how they work or where she can get them from.
Adapted books for special education students are designed to help them understand concepts being taught in classrooms and develop better reading skills. They use pictures to help the student identify and understand the words in the book.
Benefits of Adapted Books
Reduce frustration
Adapted books have larger pictures, fewer words on each page, and a repetitive text structure which helps students be more successful readers.
Improve reading comprehension
The larger pictures and repetitive text allows students to successfully read the book on their own and identify key details within the story. This helps build their reading comprehension skills.
Increase confidence levels
When a student is able to read on their own they feel proud of themselves and it increases their confidence level. This helps them feel more confident in other areas of life as well.