Jane Farrall, speech pathologist and special educator with extensive training and experience in literacy, discusses how a comprehensive literacy framework can transform speech and OT goals around reading and writing. The episode covers supporting reading comprehension and writing development, the importance of comprehensive literacy, challenges with handwriting, shifting focus to writing tools, parallels between emergent literacy and AC use, strategies for teaching reading comprehension, using declarative language in shared reading, and teaching literacy and communication as life skills.
Comprehensive literacy involves teaching a range of skills necessary for reading and writing comprehension, emphasizing the need to teach literacy in meaningful, real-life situations.
Alternative pencils, such as keyboards and flip charts, provide more accessible options for individuals to develop their writing skills, recognizing that writing is not solely about handwriting.
Deep dives
Importance of Comprehensive Literacy
Comprehensive literacy involves teaching a range of skills necessary for reading and writing comprehension. It recognizes that all students need to learn both phonics and language approaches to literacy. By addressing various areas of literacy and language development, comprehensive literacy aims to ensure that students can read and write with comprehension. This approach is crucial for supporting emergent communicators, including individuals with autism. It emphasizes the need to teach literacy in meaningful, real-life situations and to differentiate instruction based on each student's needs and abilities.
The Role of Alternative Pencils/Tools
Alternative pencils, such as keyboards, flip charts, and other writing tools, play a critical role in supporting individuals who face challenges with traditional handwriting. By recognizing that writing is not solely about handwriting, but about using a writing tool to convey thoughts and ideas, alternative pencils offer more accessible and meaningful options for individuals to develop their writing skills. By providing appropriate alternative pencils/tools, individuals can engage in literacy activities, attribute meaning to their writing, and develop their writing abilities in a way that suits their needs and abilities.
The Importance of Emergent Literacy
Emergent literacy forms the foundation for reading and writing development. It involves teaching foundational skills, such as understanding the alphabet, print concepts, and the functions and meaning of print. By engaging in shared reading experiences, where adults attribute meaning to the child's scribbles or writing, individuals develop early literacy skills and an understanding that print carries meaning. This approach is especially important for individuals who might be reading fluently but lack comprehension or struggle with a deeper understanding of print. Overall, emergent literacy provides a crucial starting point for learning to read and write with comprehension.
The Impact of Comprehensive Literacy Instruction
Comprehensive literacy instruction has a profound impact on students' literacy development. By teaching literacy in a holistic and comprehensive manner, educators can ensure that students receive the necessary skills and support at every stage of their literacy journey. This approach not only promotes reading and writing skills but also fosters a positive attitude toward literacy. By recognizing and building on students' strengths and interests, comprehensive literacy instruction enhances engagement, increases participation, and allows students to become confident and successful readers and writers.
In this episode we explore how a comprehensive literacy framework can totally transform how we approach speech and OT goals around reading and writing. Our guest, Jane Farrall, is a speech pathologist and special educator with extensive training and experience in literacy. This episode covers how SLPs and OTs can support reading comprehension and writing development in the larger frame of literacy.
View show notes and transcript at learnplaythrive.com/podcast
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