Teaching Children with Autism Reading Comprehension Skills using Online Reading Instruction: Preliminary Evaluation of Headsprout Reading Comprehension

Children with autism often exhibit difficulties with reading comprehension. Recent studies have demonstrated positive outcomes for typical learners from the internet-based reading comprehension program, Headsprout Reading Comprehension. In the present study, a preliminary evaluation of HRC was conducted with six children with autism. The primary aim was to investigate whether it would be feasible to use HRC with children with autism and whether any adaptations to the standard teaching procedure and extra support would be needed. A secondary aim was to investigate the potential of HRC to improve reading comprehension skills. The study used a multiple case series
design with six children. Results are discussed with reference to increased reading comprehension ability in the six children and the practical strategies required to support children with autism so that they may benefit from the program.