"FAST FLASH" THOSE WORD CARDS!

How do you teach reading vocabulary quickly to a child with Down syndrome, Autism, ASD, or any developmental delay? You Fast Flash!

Children with Down Syndrome or Autism are known to be strong visual learners; we can maximize that strength when we teach reading. Research shows that the brains of all children prefer to learn quickly, and children with ASD or Down syndrome are no exception. Using the Fast Flash method to teach reading works, and it’s been used for decades.

Don't believe it, because it seems counter-intuitive?

A special education teacher who attended one of my conference presentations called me several months later and said, “When I got back to school, I told my colleagues that I was going to begin teaching sight words without the images we always use; no pictures! And that I was going to be showing the words quickly, using the Fast Flash method."

"They said, 'Yeah, right. Lilke that's going to work!' But I was detrmined to give this reading method a try. Now, a few months later, they're looking at how quickly my students have learned sight words, and they're saying, 'Wow! This really works!'"

1.    Group flash cards in packs of 5; this is the most comfortable number to optimize working memory for children with Down syndrome, Autism, and ASD.

2.    Make sure the words are large (use a broad marker and unlined index cards, either 4x6 or 5x8). If you’re creating these cards on computer, use 100 pt. type or larger.

3.    Sit across from the child, not side-by-side; you want to put the cards directly in the child’s alert line of vision.

4.    Flash the cards quickly, about one per second, calling out the words.

5.    Repeat, showing the cards 3 or 4 times.

6.    If you’re teaching additional words, introduce the next set of 5, and so on, as long as you’ve still got the child’s interest.

7.    Keep the cards fresh; replace learned words with new ones.

8.    Include lots of high interest words (Wiggles, Sponge Bob, or whatever fires your child’s interest) along with high-frequency words that have to be learned.

If you’re teaching these words in conjunction with a favorite book, which I hope is the case, then flash the words once more after reading the book. This “Sandwich Method” of teaching reading [words—book—words] is very effective!

Try Fast Flash to teach reading to your child with Down syndrome or ASD—it works!