Help desperately wanted to interest ASD 4 yr old in books

Thanks again for everyone's help with my boy.  I've acted on the advice and he is now starting to ask me to read a book to him while he draws or plays with a toy.   He occasionally looks up and asks a question about the story or characters so he's obviously listening to some of what I'm saying (either that or the bright little dude is humouring me!)

I wouldnt back off completeley. My son hates books, I find it hard to read to him, he doesnt concentrate or follow the story very well and it can be quite frustrating for both of us. 

Someone from the inclusion service came into my sons school and gave me alot of information about assisted communication. We talked about social stories and how they can be used to try to change a behaviour or help during a challenging time of day. 

Well he loves these stories, so much so we have a few laminated from the school, one about how electricity is dangerous (because he loves to play with sockets), one about our trip to london and another about his dad moving house. He asks me to read them with him constantly, and I dont mind because any reading is good reading right!

The stories are very short and above each word is a picture that describes the word. These can be made with PECS or Widgets Communicate In Print which I purchased recently (its a godsend). Theres alot of examples of social stories on the internet. I believe you could use the same principle with anything, perhaps make his own books about something he likes i.e. thomas the tank engine or cats. Perhaps make a personal book with picture of him in it and things he likes, you might want him to match a picture with a word.

Also, have a google for "adapted books", its mainly an american thing, i cant find much about it in the UK. Basically its normal stories but they attach a board of pictures that can be attached to the words in the story with velcro as its read. I think the aim is to involve the child in the story, make them feel like their helping in reading the story rather than just listening, matching words to words and pictures.

Since ive bought the software myself we have made a book about calming down that I saw on pinterest, for those moments of excitement and frustration and it works a charm, i just pull it out when things are getting too much and he really enjoys trying, if he cant try for the word he can try for the picture, so he feel succesfull either way. I am sure after a while I should be able to loose a few of the pictures and he will be able to recall some of the words attached to them, thats the plan anyways.

Google "Adapted Books" and "Social Stories" you will see exactly what I mean. theres also LOADS of free books and resources if you have time a: to trowel through pinterest and b: a good colour printer.

This all depends on the skills of the child I guess but this is a good start, my son cant read but when I put these stories in front of him it is almost like he can.

I hope this helps. Im going through the same things myself. If i find out anymore information I will let you know.  

Can I please thank you for your replies as it's much appreciated.  I'm taking on board all your advice and backing off a little with the reading until he's ready.  In the meantime I'll have a look at the books you suggest.

Biff and chip might have too many words. We started with books that had no words but followed a clear story at age 4. Now hes 5 and on The Longman Book Project Read-on Beginner series of 15 books. Each page has around 7 simple words, the books have around 8 pages each. Short and sweet.

In the past my sons rejected the bigger books, maybe because of the time it can take us to read them. It doesnt really matter what you read whether its a stop sign or looking at a map, just make sure it finishes as a positive experience for both of you  The more positive the more inclined he will be to try again.

Also visit the library, my kid meltsdown in there as they arent the quietest places to be anymore but get him choosing some books, even if he just enjoys a book for its illustrations.

If he has a special interest (my son liked Thomas, Postman Pat etc) then letting him look at those books might be worth a try, if you haven't already.  As Intense says he's likely to come to it in his own time.

If you pressure him, you will probably make it the last thing he wants to do.

Children on the spectrum don't always show if they are excited or pleased about something, it's called flat affect.  If you look for reactions in comparison to a neurotypical child, you will be judging his responses by neurotypical standards too and this means you will likely be misinterpreting his reactions.

If he is high-functioning, there is a good chance he will get interested alone (many children that are high-functioning are hyperlexic).  You can leave appropriate books laying around for him and leave him to it.  He may then show more interest than if you bring them to him and read/show them to him.

Are you sure he can't read any words and just isn't displaying to you that he knows them?

There are programmes such as CBeebies "Alphablocks" that you can sit him in front of, perhaps he learns differently, children with autism often do.  They find their own way and get to where they want and need to be in the end, sometimes ahead of their peers.  But pressuring him won't aid him and may prevent him doing things when he is able or ready.