The Autism teacher at my school has requested that we order the Edmark Reading Program and ERP Software. Is anyone familar with this program? How well does it work? What other reading programs can you suggest for teaching children with Autism to read? What about children who are nonverbal, or who have very few words? Any suggestions will be great! Thanks!
I have used the Edmark reading program, but only the books since our district was too cheap to get the computer software. The books were excruciatingly boring for both me and the student, but the parents insisted until they realized the program wasn't working anyway. (Duh- I had said that for awhile.)
Anyway, my particular student had high-interest with the computer so their computer program might have been ok.
Personally, I am a huge fan of Dr. Fry's sight words, and part of his program are picture nouns. Most non-verbal students need icons anyway, but I'm all for providing conversational icons whenever feasible (drink, food, dog, etc.)
I have used the computer version and the kit when I taught Special Education students. I prefer the computer. I agree with the first response. It can be boring. I think I'm right in saying that the intended audience (clients) are students with cognitive impairments (IQ around 70). It has a lot of repetition and builds a concrete sight vocabulary (nouns & some adjecives). There are over 200 lessons in the 1st level. I would start with the lesson on the first sight word (horse) if they have some computer skills. I think it's about lesson 15. If a child completes all the lessons they can usually move into a late grade one sight word reader. Some children don't need or like the program enough to complete it, but it gives them some success and a feel for reading that motivates them to read other material. Children don't need to know letter sounds to work on the program. It is very expensive. I have had several children in the PDD spectrum that liked the structure and predictability of the program. I added the words from the program to the class word wall. I put the stories into a colourful Duo Tang and it did help several children feel like readers. I always wanted to write more exciting stories but never did.
I personally LOVE the edmark reading program! With my ASD student it works very well. There are numerous programs with it such as: sight words, restaurant words, community signes, etc. The computer program is alright too, but I don't use that everyday.
Edmark was originally made for students/adults that english is their second language but I think it adapts very well with DCD student (under 70 IQ).
I would recommend a relatively new program called eReadingPro. It's not really new I guess, as it used to be called Out of the Box Reading. I attended a workshop here about a year and a half ago. Edmark Reading Program uses mostly dolch words, whereas eReadingPro uses words nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. These words seem to be easier for kids to remember as sight words. It comes with a schedule that takes you from presenting single words, then 'couplets', small phrases and then sentences. We have a child at our school that I've been working with this year who has Down syndrome AND Autism, and she has come a long way using this program! The parents are using it at home with the child and then bring it to school for us to use here. I hope this helps you!
I am an AS teacher and we are currently using EDMARK on the computer. I have 5 students in varying levels. I also have a nonverbal student. We also use Reading Mastery (SRA) with the kids. We use EDMARK as a supplement. I think EDMARK is good for sight words, but the short stories that go with it are not functional. We decided we need a program where the students not only learn to read, but at this stage, read to learn. In my opinion, Edmark is not good for comprehension. It teaches sight word vocabulary but not necessarily functional or group oriented. We are looking at ESL programs such as Treasure Chest (leveled supplemental books, TONS of pictures, VERY function and the students read to learn). For our nonverbal kids - ALL Reading Program.
Please let me know if anyone has any other Reading programs that have worked. We are at a loss in our school!
The Level I Edmark Reading Program for the computer is well worth the money. It gives a majority of my students the opportunity to become successful reading words and sentences for the first time. Many students can learn to use the program independently which is great! Do not waste your money on the Level II program unless you have enough staffing to provide one on one assistance. All comprehension questions are set up so students read a story , then the question, then decide whether they provided the right answer by clicking the "correct" or "incorrect" button. How ridiculous, every kid in my class figured out very quickly that hitting the correct button meant they got the answer right regardless of whether they knew the answer. It is a fatal flaw in the program.
11-09-2007, 09:17 AM
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