Introduction Reading is the process of deciphering symbols of a message that have meaning to both the author and the person receiving the message. For the greatest part of the population, this means deciphering combinations of letters that create agreed upon sounds, which represent an object or concept.
Literacy is an extension of both reading and language.
In it's most strict definition, literacy is the ability to read and write. Emergent literacy allows a client to use any version of language to convey his or her message. Clients with language disabilities often use a form of symbolic language. Symbolic language is the pairing of a picture or object with the written word that represents it, creating a meaningful way to share a message between two communication partners. This presentation will include a set of suggestions that I have used to enhance emergent literacy for students with language disabilities.