| If the child is small, then showing him a regular paper | | | | understand that there is no point in proceeding further |
| book with photos might not be such a good idea, since | | | | with that particular topic. |
| he might just tear it up. You could show him a book | | | | Autistic children study more with their eyes, and so it is |
| with thick cardboard pages or a plastic page book, | | | | very important to show them photos which are |
| which is difficult to tear. The books should match the | | | | pleasing for them to see. They can easily relate to |
| interests of the child as well as the age and the mental | | | | day-to-day objects, so it might be a good idea to start |
| status of the child. If the child is immediately interested | | | | with those books which depict and explain those |
| in the first few pages of the book, then that would | | | | objects. They might not prefer or understand fictional |
| solve the problem of the child tearing the book. | | | | stories. You might also have to repeat their favorite |
| If your child is autistic, then you could start reading from | | | | stories or show them their favorite books time and |
| the books, and show him the pictures and content. | | | | again, so be ready to do that cheerfully. |
| Even if your child does not fully comprehend the story, | | | | Autistic children can read other peoples faces and |
| your presence and the way you narrate the story | | | | expressions, so show them that you are truly enjoying |
| could have a calming effect on the child. If your child | | | | reading them a story or showing photos. Since |
| understands hand signals better, then you could also | | | | communicating with them is difficult, it could be some |
| gesticulate with your hands while narrating the story. | | | | time before you understand their likes and dislikes |
| Since the child's attention span is short, he might lose | | | | about particular books. |
| track of the story sometimes and you will have to lure | | | | When reading a book to autistic children, it is therefore |
| him back into the story. Patience is the key word in | | | | important to get into their minds and understand their |
| dealing with autistic children and reading books is no | | | | mood. They should be ready to understand what you |
| different. | | | | are trying to convey to them, and you in turn, by |
| Once the child is interested in a particular topic, you | | | | observing their behavior and body language, should try |
| can get a variety of books on that topic to retain the | | | | to gauge their reactions. By showing patience and |
| interest. In case, the child does not like a particular | | | | caring for their feelings, you can keep their interest |
| book, the frustration will show through immediately and | | | | alive when reading a book to them. |
| if the child starts throwing tantrums, you should | | | | |