If you are looking for adapted books for autism spectrum disorders that are free and editable in Canva, then keep reading below…
![Adapted Books for Autism](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-autism-1.png?resize=1200%2C630&ssl=1)
What are Adapted Books for Autism?
Overall, adapted books are modified reading materials that include visual supports. They could also be modified from traditional books. These adapted books could include interactive elements to keep your student engaged. Did you know, you can target so many goals by using adapted books?
- Vocabulary
- Following directions
- Sequencing
- Social skills, etc.
![Adapted Books for Special Education Free](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-special-education-free.png?resize=1024%2C538&ssl=1)
In case you need to keep track of your student's goals, check out this free Goal Setting Punch card template. You can also check out the blog post: Resources to Target Speech Therapy Goals and Objectives.
How to Make Adapted Books in Canva – for free!
- In Canva, it is so easy to adjust the reading level. All you have to do is change out the text and make it more simple or more difficult to read.
- Then, from the Elements Tab, choose from a massive library of photos, images, and illustrations.
- You can even use your student's photos. After all, a book that is unique and personalized is more engaging.
- Print out the templates, cut where indicated, then attach the pieces to the choice board with self-adhesive dots. And you're done! (affiliate links included)
At the present time, there are some digital downloads of these adapted books that are ready to use immediately. But, more will definitely be added! Here are a few of the interactive books available in Canva:
- Themed Adapted Books for Expressive Language Speech Therapy
- Fall
- Spring:
- Summer:
Elements of Adapted Books for Special Education
Simplified Text:
- makes it easier for readers to understand what they are reading overall.
![Adapted Books for Preschool](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-preschool-2.png?resize=1024%2C538&ssl=1)
Visual Supports (photos, icons, adapted pieces, and symbols):
- help create connections between words and pictures.
- help make \ abstract concepts more concrete.
Interactive Elements (such as, flaps, moveable pieces, or Velcro attachments):
- encourage participation.
- makes reading more enjoyable.
- can help stimulate a child.
- helps them to maintain attention for longer periods of time.
- develop fine motor skills, and
- help with turn-taking.
![Adapted Books Free](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-free-1.png?resize=1024%2C538&ssl=1)
Sensory Adaptations.
Sensory adaptations, such as using different textures, sounds, or tactile materials, make the experience more fun!
Personalization
- With Canva, it’s so easy to make these adapted books personal! You can change out all the names in the books to ones the student is familiar with.
- You can make reading materials to match the child's reading level. Then, you'll decide what challenges are most appropriate for each kid.
- You can even target reading comprehension and sentence structure goals with these books.
Why is Shared Reading Important?
This article available on ASHA's website talks about the importance of shared reading for children with communication difficulties. According to this study, the authors found that Shared Interactive Book Reading (SIBR), can be really helpful for children's language skills. Most of the studies they reviewed showed positive results, especially in how well the children could express themselves and understand what others were saying.
What are the benefits of adapted books?
Setting the pace:
The autistic child has full control over the pace and interaction with the book, empowering them to feel autonomous and take ownership of their reading experience. This leads to a deeper engagement and connection with the book, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.
![](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-free.png?resize=576%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-autism.png?resize=576%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Fall Adapted Books](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/fall-adapted-books.png?resize=576%2C1024&ssl=1)
Repetitive:
Repetitive words can be comforting to the autistic child.
Changes in routine:
Likewise, students benefit from interactive books when they are going to a new school.
Literacy:
For literacy, adapted books improve phonological awareness, sight word recognition, and reading fluency.
Boosting Confidence and Independence:
Adapted books encourage decision-making! If you want to boost the student's confidence and independence, then use adapted books. They can make meaningful connections that help with self-image! Plus, they will love to read and learn, especially when the story includes them.
Social Interaction
- Adapted books can help with social interaction and turn-taking during group settings.
- They can take turns reading and responding to questions.
- Plus they can engage with their classmates while making conversations.
Comprehension
- The interactive features help provide more context during reading.
- They can also reinforce key information.
- Last, adapted books promote retention of the content.
What does an adapted book mean?
There are various types of adapted books that you can use. Here are a few:
- Board Books: These durable books have easy-to-turn pages. This makes them especially perfect for young children.
- Picture Communication Book: These books are great for children who are nonspeaking. They might need a way to communicate their basic needs.
![](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-students-with-disabilities-2.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
- Social storybooks: As you know, these books help autistic children understand and navigate social situations.
- These situations should be relatable and might actually happen to the student (such as being bullied, taking perspectives, etc).
- Sensory books: These books have different textures and sounds, and objects to touch. Accordingly, as you read, you can tell your student to touch and explore the sensory elements.
Tips for Using Adapted Books for Autism
Essentially, here are tips when incorporating adapted books into your therapy sessions:
Choose Appropriate Adapted Books. Adapted books must have the following traits:
- be interesting to the child. If the student likes soccer, then use soccer elements throughout the adapted books.
- be aligned with therapy goals.
- feature relevant vocabulary.
Additionally, make sure to use picture symbols, icons, or photographs that are relatable. The symbols must be clear for the student to understand.
![](https://i0.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adapted-books-for-speech-therapy-1.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Making Your Own Interactive Books
You can also create your own interactive books in Canva by using these templates and switching out the pictures. Conversely, Canva has a huge resource library with clip art, photos, elements, and more for you to choose from. This is a great way to create your own books, especially if you want to
- target specific skills.
- target new skills or basic skills.
- use these books with advanced readers or different levels (even middle school students love these books!)
- include personal information.
- include favorite activities.
- target different learning styles.
- talk about everyday activities.
- work on vocabulary from social studies, a science unit, or other subject areas.
- have fun lessons for your favorite themes!
Alternatives to Traditional Books
In essence, these are a great alternative to traditional books! You can also create interactive books as an alternative to your favorite books. Try making alternatives to Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, or Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (affiliate links included). The best part is you don't even need Board maker or binding machine to make them! Do you have a favorite board book you want adapted? If so, leave me a comment below!
Last, I hope you enjoy these adaptive books for speech therapy! An adapted book is such a valuable resource when working with autistic students. If you want to learn more about Canva for Education, then check out my other blog posts. Here, you'll get so much information about how to apply and what the program is about.
Canva Q&A: Your Top 5 Questions Finally Answered Here
How to Use Canva for Education
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![Autism Requirements](https://i2.wp.com/speechzella.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/autism-requirements-576x1024.png?ssl=1)
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