Help 11yo learn to like reading

[Anonymous]

11yo DS with ASD is on-grade level on report card - though MAP reading scores have always been on the low side (like 20%). However, he really has never read a chapter book on his own. He really struggles with reading comprehension. He never chooses to read. I try to get him to read daily - we have literally 100 books at home he has chosen at book fairs, for Christmas, for his bday, etc. He loves buying the books but just never sits down to read them. When we make it no-screen time, he will choose to play the piano or do nothing but not read. When I read to him, he asks to stop within 10 minutes saying he's tired - even though the story (to me and he says to him too) seems so interesting, and I don't want to stop reading. I guess it's work for him? His brain is wired differently and reading/listening is not fun for him? Is there any possible way I can get him to love or at least like reading? It's affecting his schoolwork a great deal. He's pretty good at math but will totally miss what the question is asking if it involves much reading. He has an online reading tutor. We do 30 minute sessions. She breaks it up by asking questions, etc. He does those fine, but let's say they were reading an interesting story (chosen about a topic he likes) - even if they stop at a point in the story that is very suspenseful and the tutor gives the link to finish it, he does not. He will just wait until the next session. He gets some pullout reading help at school but will be in middle school next year so I really want to work on reading with him this summer. Please recommend workbooks, methods, tutors - especially if you had a kid like this and found a reading intervention that worked. We cannot afford LMB private tutoring and prefer something that can be done at home daily. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

When you read to him, what is he doing? Is he sitting next to you? Can he play with kinetic sand or playdoh? Fidget with stuff quietly? If there are things you only bring out when he’s reading or being read to, there may be incentive to read/listen more. And you can stop and have discussions about what’s going on.

I think 10-15 min a day to start is fine.

[Anonymous]

Graphic novel? He needs to really get into a book!

[Anonymous]

OP here - I feel like I've tried everything. Tried reading different times of day - especially on weekends. Tried to sweeten it up the experience literally (he has a crazy sweet tooth) allowing candy to eat while I'm reading to him. Yes, he can have fidgets but does not really seem to want them. We've tried graphic novels too.

When he's reading, he will sometimes skip a whole line or sometimes just a word. I try to stop often and discuss what he's read, and then I'll read for a bit as he usually wants me to. However, he never seems into the story even when I explain everything and he seems to understand- I even try to get across the suspense and wondering what will happen next sentiment, but he never seems all that interested. Is this just ASD? Will this ever change?

[Anonymous]

My DD has a learning disability in reading comprehension (this is different than dyslexia). Not what you want to hear, but we haven’t been able to get her to like reading. She’s worked with a tutor, and one of her accommodations at school is a program called Learning Ally which is like an audiobook but also has visual component. She can read well enough to do ok in her classes, but she will literally never reads for pleasure (probably because reading for her is a hard chore and is not pleasurable). It was hard for me to accept because both DH and I are huge readers, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

I have had ASD kids like this in class. It’s frustrating, because I love reading so much, and they need the skill. I would be sure that you are having him read books that are truly at his independent level, so probably below his current grade level, so that his brain does not have to work so hard on deciding and can focus on the content. I’d look for humor written below his grade level. I’d probably ask the school to update his formal reading testing. Then I’d have him read for short bursts of time at home and I’d have him listen to short bursts that you read. You should read books at his grade level and stop to ask questions or get his predictions. You might have to reread. You can also read ahead yourself and then set the purpose for him by telling him you are going to read about what happens when the kid in the story finds out whatever and you want him to tell you at the end what the answer is. Some kids need to know ahead of time what they are reading to find out. Also, have him read asier books over and over to help with comprehension. Keep it short and sweet. Lots of kids prefer nonfiction or magazines.

[Anonymous]

I have an 11yo DD with adhd who was reading before K but who now doesn’t enjoy it at all.
She now only reads at bedtime, I let her stay up later ( 30 mins) as long as she’s reading to sweeten the deal and I also bribe her with a “ prize” for every chapter book she reads. It’s not perfect but it does get her reading.