Reading Instruction for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Quality Analysis

• Published in: Review journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 127 - 150
• Main Authors: Bailey, Benjamin, Arciuli, Joanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Accuracy; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Child Development; Child Health; Cognitive Development; Definitions; Developmental Psychology; Educational Technology; Effect Size; Evidence Based Practice; Guidelines; Inferences; Literacy Education; Meta Analysis; Neurosciences; Oral Reading; Outcomes of Education; Phonemic Awareness; Phonics; Psychiatry; Psychology; Reading Ability; Reading comprehension; Reading Difficulties; Reading Fluency; Reading Improvement; Reading instruction; Reading Skills; Rehabilitation; Review Paper; Social Work; Autism; National Reading Panel; Systematic review; Reading; Quality analysis; Literacy
• ISSN: 2195-7177; 2195-7185
• DOI: 10.1007/s40489-019-00185-8

This study reviews the literature on reading instruction consistent with the recommendations of the National Reading Panel (NRP; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000 ) for children with autism spectrum disorder, using the Evaluative Method for Determining Evidence-Based Practices in Autism to assess research quality (Reichow, Volkmar, & Cicchetti, 2008 ). A search of the literature published between 2009 and 2017 identified 10,779 relevant records, of which 19 met inclusion criteria. Studies reported gains in phonics, reading accuracy, reading fluency, and/or reading comprehension skills; however, few were of adequate or strong quality. Instruction that incorporated multiple Big Five elements from the NRP was associated with gains in reading accuracy and comprehension as well as relatively high quality ratings. Clinical implications and priorities for future research are discussed.