Re: Reading

[Guest guest]

Hi K.D.

Reading comprehension problems are not one of the criteria of AS, but appears to

co-morbid condition with some AS. I also had this difficulty as a young person

and into my late teens.

- Helen

[Guest guest]

>

> SNIP<

I also had this difficulty as a young person and into my late teens.

> - Helen

Thanks for responding Helen.

In my original post I didn't mention

that my son complains mostly of a kind of

a disjointed experience when he tries to read.

He says that concentration is a huge problem

and making the writing connect can be a

task. Does this sound familiar to

anyone?

You mention experiencing some of this difficulty, Helen

as a child/teen.

My son also says that it was worse when he was younger and has gotten better as

he has gotten older.

Were you able to find any thing that helped with

reading challenges?

My husband mentioned reading earlier in the day helps him, but

this is when our son is in class.

My son would really appreciate any input that could help

him with this challenge. His professors assign a lot of reading.

Thanks in advance for your tips.

~ K D

[Guest guest]

Hi KD,

I am a 51 yr old AS , wife and mom with kids on the spectrum. I have

taught music for years and home-schooled my children off and on since

1987 (some with learning disabilities). I am currently attending college

and boy there is a lot of reading involved!

All that to say that I've had many varied experiences with learning and

cognitive styles in myself and others.

I'm also a professional musician, and gifted with high spelling, reading

and vocabulary abilities.

Sometimes, it's as though I can't focus my eyes or combination of

eyes/brain/receptive language to connect it all together and find myself

re-reading a paragraph or getting stuck on one sentence.

I do this also internally-I get stuck on the sound or mentally typing

the word over and over again. (Wow that sounds very OCD or perseverant

,doesn't it?).

One suggestion, indeed, would be to read aloud...but I have used another

tactic to help me study. I put on headphones and create my own

stimulating/captivating environment while I study.

Picture this, I'm getting some great endorphins listening to my favorite

Sting album ( I am a repetetive listener to the same albums and they're

so familiar that they are aren't a distraction) sometimes even putting

my favorite song on repeat mode.

Then, groovin' and bouncin' along I find my attention is less

distractable, and the musical stimming helps me read.

Other tactics- read standing up-- I place my books at countertop height

and stand there with pencil or highlighter in hand to highlight points

of interest. This helps me to engage my whole-body and get involved

actively with the reading, much like reading aloud without doing the out

loud part.

Another trick, just underlining or pointing at the lines I am struggling

with keeps me more focused. Also, walking (carefully so as not to break

a leg!) while reading may also help. The motor movement activates more

parts of the brain at the same time and this is a good attentiveness

promoter as well as helping to memorize data ( a big problem for me).

These challenges sound a lot like Attention Deficit Issues...some folks

think ADD is on the spectrum as just another ASD facet of high

functioning neurodiversity.

Bottom line- I don't care what you call it--just looking for what works.

Last thought--exercise before reading. Just fifteen minutes can make a

difference. King (prolific,best-selling author and very possibly

a spectrum guy) says that he gets his plot and character ideas while

walking, then goes back to his studio to write like crazy.

I hope this helps...good luck to your son!

Sharon - AS, really blew it yesterday,but forgiving myself today for

social awkwardness

>

> Hello Everyone.

>

> I have been married to an AS man for 23 years . We have a college aged

son who shows some signs of being on the spectrum. He is a musician.

> The reason I am writing is to find out if others have challenges when

it comes to reading and what solutions others may have found. Both my

husband and my son have extensive vocabularies with excellent language

skills. They both complain of having to read sentences over and over

again with out gaining comprehension. They both say reading out loud

helps. The problem being with my son in college, reading out loud isn't

always practical.

> We welcome hearing about any experiences with this problem and

solutions that might be shared.

> Thanks in advance.

> Enjoy your day.

>

> ~ K D

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I also deal with this. I sometimes have to read things over and over and

> over in order to comprehend what is being said. It's like I recognize each

> work but am unable to string the meanings together to make sense. Very

> disjointed feeling. When at it for a while I can start feeling a bit floaty

> or sort of like I'm not really there.

Jennie, Thank you for your input. This description of what happens

at times to you is almost word for word what my son describes.

He is a straight 'A' student as Helen mentioned

and has a high comprehension level

when the subject matter is read to him.

Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions.

Exercise does seem to help. He has started going for

short walks before reading and is going to try the head phones

and standing as well as note taking when reading.

Great suggestions and much appreciated.

I am grateful for ASPIRES and the sharing that takes place

on this website. Together we do make a difference.

Have an amazing day everyone.

~ K D