Code-related literacy profiles of kindergarten students with autism

Abstract

Difficulties with reading development have been well documented in samples of children with autism spectrum disorders. This study utilized a state-level early literacy dataset of kindergarten students educationally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( N = 616) to investigate the development of critical early reading skills across the kindergarten year. The study employed latent profile analysis and latent transition analysis to empirically derive profiles of early readers at kindergarten entry and the end of kindergarten. Results demonstrate the heterogenous nature of early reading skills for young school-aged students with autism spectrum disorder. Results have important implications for the early instruction and intervention of early reading for young children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract Many children and young students with autism have difficulties learning how to read. This study investigated early literacy development in children with autism spectrum disorder during their first year of formal schooling. The study found that children with autism spectrum disorder differ greatly on their early literacy skills, with some showing strengths in their understanding of the alphabet, spelling, and reading words. Other students in the sample had difficulties with these early reading skills. The findings of this study are important to better understand the most effective way to teach early literacy skills to children with autism spectrum disorder.