The Five Essential Components of Evidence-Based Reading
Therapies and Resources for Children with Autism & Families
Peak Potential Therapy is proud to incorporate an evidence-based reading strategy PRIDE Reading.
If your child is struggling with reading, the PRIDE reading program may be able to help him or her. The PRIDE reading program is an evidence-based program that is made up of five major components as detailed below.
PRIDE reading falls under the category of a group of reading strategies that are known as evidence-based reading programs. The name lays out the definition succinctly. Simply put, “evidence-based reading instruction can be defined as a particular approach, a specific strategy, or an instructional method which has had a record of success (International Reading Association).” But, of course, it’s a little more complex than that.
While there are nine total components of evidence-based reading, five are considered “major” components. The reason that these are important is that new dyslexia laws passed in many (but not all states) use these components to legally define the traits of evidence-based reading. These are the five components that make up the major components of evidence-based reading instruction:
1. Phonemic Awareness Instruction
This is the concept that enables us to see that words are comprised of individual sounds that are blended together for reading but then pulled apart for spelling. This is a critical skill that is important for all readers and is especially reinforced in kindergarten and first grade.
2. Systematic Phonics Instruction
“If a student can decode, then they can comprehend (Richland).” That’s why systematic phonics is so important. This is the understanding that individual sounds are represented by letters or groups of letters. The ability to use those sounds to decode words is what the National Reading Panel refers to as systematic phonics.
3. Fluency Instruction
Accuracy, reading rate and reading expression make up reading fluency. Accuracy, the basepoint of fluency, is learned with system phonics, and reading rate and reading expression come soon after.
4. Vocabulary Instruction
Understanding what individual words mean is the crux of vocabulary instruction. Without this basic comprehension of individual words, it’s impossible to understand larger selections and, thus, impossible to read and know what you just read.
5. Comprehension Instruction
Understanding connected text as the ultimate goal of reading is what the National Reading Panel refers to as comprehension instruction. Reading comprehension is a complex, active process that requires intent and thought as the reader interprets the text. Without vocabulary development and instruction play, comprehension cannot take place.
There are more components to evidence-based reading, but these are the five deemed most critical by most states. PRIDE reading fits all definitions, and we are proud to offer PRIDE Reading instruction at Peak Potential Therapy. If you think your child could benefit from PRIDE Instruction, contact us to set up a consultation. We look forward to meeting them and helping them reach their peak potential.