The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

Research Writing 117 for a longer amount of time in the dialogic reading sessions than in the standard reading sessions (282-3). The authors conclude that dialogic is a simple yet effective way for adults to engage children book reading that elicits verbal participation and critical thinking (284). The final article, “Linking Cognition and Literacy in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” provides steps for supporting reading comprehension for students with ASD. Organizing the learning environment and materials is important, according to the article, because it helps students understand daily routines and activities and can keep them more focused and organized (Carnahan et al 58). Beginning with students special interests and gradually building on them can help students with ASD stay engaged for longer periods of time; additionally, linking teaching materials to students’ background knowledge can help them understand what information is relevant versus what is unrelated to the topic at hand (59). Presenting texts using alternative mediums is useful for adapting the text to meet the needs of the students, and teaching specific strategies such as summarizing identifying the main idea can help students increase comprehension. Finally, the authors believe that providing a variety of techniques is useful—especially techniques that make use of both group instruction and individualized instruction (60). T h i s essay explores the struggles that children with ASD face regarding literacy, and presents different teaching techniques designed to help children affected by ASD improve their reading comprehension and language abilities. Though the articles used for this paper differ in style and in content, it is obvious that there is a general need for teaching techniques designed to help students with autism. Autism has become a prevalent issue in society, and these articles express that need in their own unique ways. The articles also outline the fact that children with autism are intelligent and therefore, research should be conducted that promotes different techniques and interventions for autism and literacy. Annotated Bibliography Carnahan, Christina R., Pamela S. Williamson, and Jennifer Christman. “Linking Cognition And Literacy In Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Teaching Exceptional Children 43.6 (2011): 54-62. Online.