How Adapted and Interactive Books Can Help Reach IEP Goals - Alpha School
 

How Adapted and Interactive Books Can Help Reach IEP Goals

teacher reading with student

Adapted books, or any book that has been modified in some way (usually to improve accessibility), and interactive books, which require active participation by the reader, are helpful tools in the world of special education. Both adapted and interactive books are more engaging than traditional books, which means students will have a stronger desire to read them. 

Interactive books have also been proven to improve reading, listening, comprehension, and decision-making skills, along with helping to foster a child’s imagination. 

The Benefits of Adapted and Interactive Books in The Classroom

Not only are adapted and interactive books more fun and engaging for the reader, but they can also help students with special needs reach their IEP goals and learn important life skills. The benefits of using adapted and interactive books in the classroom include the following:

  • Improve reading stamina: adapted and interactive books are inherently more engaging and therefore are more likely to hold a child’s attention for a longer period. 
  • Build language skills: interactive books often involve word-matching and/or picture-matching activities which can help students to practice and expand their vocabulary. 
  • Learn functional math skills: math skills such as sequencing & counting and addition & subtraction are important skills that are needed not only in the classroom but are also necessary to live independently.
  • Prepare for social functions: events such as holidays and family gatherings can often be overwhelming for children with special needs. Using adapted and interactive books can help them learn what to expect during various social situations. 
  • Interactive eBooks are another highly engaging option for young readers who may find printed books less appealing, given the popularity and ease of use of digital devices such as tablets and iPads. 

The Benefits of Adapted and Interactive Books in The Classroom

Shared reading is an evidence-based instructional approach that has been proven to increase story comprehension and engagement among children who are minimally verbal or non-verbal. Rather than reading to students, shared reading encourages engagement and interaction by reading with students. The act of shared reading is also extremely beneficial for students who have the desire to read but are unable to do so independently or may have trouble focusing long enough to complete a reading session on their own. 

In addition to fostering a life-long love of reading and improved literacy skills, adaptive and shared reading helps to teach children expressive and receptive communication skills that reading words from a page alone cannot. Children with special needs will often benefit from a combination of shared, adapted, and interactive reading within the classroom, both academically and socially. 
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john gonzalez supervisor of instruction Alpha School

A message from Alpha School

These are absolutely difficult times for all of us. On behalf of all our staff at Alpha School, we want to at least keep our families supported through our monthly school articles. Each month we plan on publishing useful information to help, even in a small way, all of our Alpha families cope with these highly unusual circumstances.

We will be with you every step of the way. Should you need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

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From all of us at Alpha School

​— John Gonzalez, Principal-Alpha School, Jackson, NJ

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