Reading Methods Most students with learning disabilities are referred because of a reading disorder. Parents of children with learning disabilities should be aware of the reading approach that is used in their school. Many different reading programs are employed in schools throughout the United States, but they generally fall into one of the following seven approaches. The contour of the words is highlighted in order to help children distinguish and remember them. Eventually decoding skills are added.
Comprehension is emphasized throughout.
The phonics method teaches children to associate printed letters with their corresponding sounds. Children can then use these phonic skills to analyze sound sequences, blend them and pronounce new words. A variety of reading series emphasize the phonics method. The linguistic approach combines visual and phonics methods. The language experience method emphasizes comprehension because the child's language is the foundation upon which reading skills are built.