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Literacy refers to the ability to read and write and to use these skills functionally in social, academic, and vocational contexts. Individuals with proficient literacy skills are able to comprehend text and effectively express ideas through written language. While the decoding skills of individuals with ASD are often within normal limits, they frequently exhibit poor reading comprehension, particularly with narratives and other complex texts. In addition, they may have difficulty with written expression. The ability to read and write effectively can be an important asset for individuals with ASD. Strategies such as providing scripts for activities of daily living (e.g., asking for help at the grocery store) and encouraging the use of written communication (e.g., e-mails) can help enhance their communicative functioning.
References and Reading
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Paul, R. (2007). Language disorders from infancy through adolescence: Assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
Tager-Flusberg, H., Paul, R., & Lord, C. (2005). Language and communication in autism. In F. R. Volkmar, R. Paul, A. Klin, & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (Vol. 1, 3rd ed., pp. 335–364). Hoboken: Wiley.
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Moyle, M., Plowgian, C. (2017). Literacy. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1673-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1673-3
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