Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

limited vocabulary & reluctance to read

18 replies

mumtoadhdasdboy · 29/10/2024 10:37

My 14yo DS has autism and ADHD. He's never enjoyed reading or being read to - his reading age is about 7/8yo. I'm paying for him to have extra English lessons in preparation for his English Functional Skills exams as he's not expected to grade at GCSE.

During his lessons it's very clear that he has extremely limited vocabulary and this stems from the lack of exposure to books/words.

I need to try and encourage him to read more, or read together. But he's so picky about what books he will and will not look at. He loved Horrid Henry and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I wondered if anyone could recommend any other books series that may interest him? I suggested Famous Five/Secret Seven books but he just wasn't interested.

OP posts:
Sajacas · 29/10/2024 12:39

Can you take him to the library and let him choose a whole range of books? One option is he chooses 10 books, he then reads the first chapter each until he finds one to finish. If you get through all 10, he chooses the least worst one to fully read. Rinse and repeat. It helps if you have a timetable, either a set time to read, so an hour before bed, or an hour a day, doesn't matter when.
A reading log can also help.
If he is into any kind of computer games, they all have spin off books, or handbooks, which might be worth a try. Also, 14 is old enough to start with fantasy or sci fi, often the world building aspects of these genres appeal to teens.

But I have to say that for kids who don't like reading, reading has to be the only option. So no screens, read a book or stare at the wall. As an adult we often do things we don't want to because we know we have to really, or that it will benefit us in the long term. Kids don't think like that, and if a child does not like reading, they are not going to do it, if they have another, more interesting choice.

People often say, oh I got into reading when I discovered Nancy Drew. But no, what really happened was there were only 4 TV channels with very limited children's shows, and you started reading Nancy Drew because there was literally nothing else to do!

Sorry, that is a bit pessimistic, and hopefully other people will come on tell me how wrong I am, because I fear most children growing up in this digital on demand environment are going to end up functionally illiterate.

Spendingtoomuchonfood · 29/10/2024 12:42

Reading isn’t children first source of vocab. They learn from other talking and TV too. I’m wondering if his lack of vocab is caused more than just a lack of reading.

CMOTDibbler · 29/10/2024 12:42

It would be worth trying graphic novels as they are an enjoyable read that moves along, and are much more age appropriate than Secret Seven etc. Your local library would have a good selection as anime and graphic novels are very popular

DemonicCaveMaggot · 29/10/2024 12:42

Would he like graphic books like Tintin or Asterix? I loved those at around 8 - 9 years of age and they did extend my vocabulary 'ten thousand blistering barnacles in a thundering typhoon!'.

There are also Professor Brainstawm, and Just William, which are more like groups of short stories so easier to get through.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 29/10/2024 12:44

Would he enjoy listening to an audio book while doing a hobby like Lego, art, or jigsaw puzzles?

BlueChampagne · 29/10/2024 15:07

There are some Terry Pratchett Discworld graphic novels which might also be worth looking at. Tutor and English teachers should be in a good position to suggest books. Also second library.

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 29/10/2024 15:09

Have a look at the Phoenix children's comics. They are written to encourage readers and are thin so don't seem so daunting.

mumtoadhdasdboy · 29/10/2024 15:56

Thanks for your advice, my DS has a speech and language disorder as well so he's always struggled with communication. I think we need to have a set time each day with no computers/tech/tv on and make it reading time. He's totally addicted to screens as they are his safe place now I think. I will take him to the library and get him to choose some books to try out. Thank you so much

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 29/10/2024 16:49

I would, as others have suggested, try him on graphic novels. Or comics. Not quite so intimidating as a book.
Maybe poetry. Again, poems seem easier to read than blocks of text.
What are his hobbies? Osborne do some great easier to read non fiction. Or if, say, he likes football would he read a match report for his favourite team. Can even be done using online news sources, so no suggestion of a book!
If he liked reading Wimpy Kid, he might like the Middle School series by James Patterson.

MargaretThursday · 29/10/2024 18:47

Will he let you read to him?

I used to read to ds and he loved it. When he was really enjoying a book then sometimes he'd read on.
Dd2 also used to say she wasn't interested in a book (or more often that it was too scary). So I'd start to read it, and normally by chapter 2 she was wanting to go and read it herself.

mumtoadhdasdboy · 31/10/2024 15:13

MargaretThursday · 29/10/2024 18:47

Will he let you read to him?

I used to read to ds and he loved it. When he was really enjoying a book then sometimes he'd read on.
Dd2 also used to say she wasn't interested in a book (or more often that it was too scary). So I'd start to read it, and normally by chapter 2 she was wanting to go and read it herself.

Thanks for your comment, I am not sure he'd let me read to him, but I could suggest that maybe.

OP posts:
mumtoadhdasdboy · 31/10/2024 15:15

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 29/10/2024 15:09

Have a look at the Phoenix children's comics. They are written to encourage readers and are thin so don't seem so daunting.

Thank you, I've looked and I think they are a bit 'child like' for him. He hates anything cartoony as he thinks they are for younger kids only. But agree they may suit his reading level more tbh which is annoying!

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 31/10/2024 19:27

What about the Guiness Book of Records as a Christmas present, which lots of boys of his age get! Short paragraphs about things he might be interested in may encourage him to give it a go.
You don't mention that he is dyslexic, but I do know that the books published by Barrington Stokes are aimed at dyslexic readers of all ages. The books are printed on cream paper, and in a different font than the one usually used, but is said to make them easier to read. The ones aimed at older readers specifically have content aimed at them, so not too babyish. Maybe worth seeing if your library has any.

BrucesTooth · 31/10/2024 19:40

Similar to wimpy kid- Dog man series, Tom Gates series, Timmy failure, Barry Loser, 13 storey treehouse series, captain underpants series.
Going up a bit- last kids on earth series, how to train your dragon series.

Also second the phoenix, if the actual comic seems no good try some Jamie smart hooks (one of the main writer/animators) the bunny Vs monkey books (graphic books) or Flember books (novels)

mugglewump · 31/10/2024 20:09

I wouldn't force him down a book route to build vocabulary as he'll get cognative overload if it isn't within his reading ability - and won't expand his vocab hugely if it is. Instead, I suggest you look at these ideas.

First, watch dramas on TV together on catch up where you can pause and discuss words used and synonyms for them (eg trudged, what does that mean? what word would you have used? Does trudged convey a particular type of walking? Does it tell us about how the person was feeling? Which word tells you more?)

Second, I'd download the Borrowbox app - which you can use for free with a library membership - and get him into the habit of listening to books to immerse him in language useage. Listening to podcasts will help him with this too - tailor them to his interests.

Thirdly, there's a little vocab expanding game on the net called Freerice - words pop up with 4 possible definitions to select - hopefully he will find this engaging.

Lastly, order him some Barrington Stoke books or get some from the library. Barrington Stoke publishes books for young people whose reading age is less than their actual age - due to dyslexia for example. You should be able to find some that he will enjoy and be able to access. Ideally read these together so you can check his comprehension of what he is reading - and look at some of the vocabulary too.

I hope at least some of these suggestions work. They are all things I use with my tutees who have dyslexia.

Singleandproud · 31/10/2024 20:20

I would look at books formatted for Dyslexics. Larger font, larger space between letters and words, less words per page.

books for reluctant teens

Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson (+other Rick Riordan series), Skullduggery Pleasant and Alex Rider all popular with his age range.

Goosebumps easy readers but suitably spooky for an older child

Ronald Dahl short stories and ghost stories to share together - make it a positive experience with a cup of tea and some biscuits.

My DD is a great reader but autistic and hates novels, she likes playscripts and poetry because there is more space on the page and she doesn't have to imagine what the character is doing as she struggles with imagination but a play scripts says exactly what is happening.

Books for reluctant readers (12+)

There's a book out there for every teenager, even the most reluctant of readers. Try a few of the books below to see if they click with your teenag...

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/r/reluctant-readers-teen

parietal · 06/11/2024 19:55

Have you seen this website to support kids with developmental language disorder?

radld.org/about/

They will have all sorts of suggestions and resources

SimoneW · 06/11/2024 21:48

If he liked Horrid Henry sounds to me like he enjoys naughty in a funny way books. I would try these books:

this one is good but a bit
long and maybe above his level. It’s for trying to read together. I think the story
will intrigue him.
https://www.searchgoodbooks.com/books/jakob-flint-from-fool-to-king-3rd-edition

My best guess though is this one. this is one of a series. It’s shorter and easier to read and I expect he will live Alexander.

https://www.searchgoodbooks.com/books/alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day

Maybe these two he could even read easily himself?

https://www.searchgoodbooks.com/books/stanley

https://www.searchgoodbooks.com/books/the-berenstain-bears-and-the-blame-game

but yea, my best guess are the Alexander books.

all the best with this good effort!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

For 5 - 11 year olds. Book Review

https://www.searchgoodbooks.com/books/alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day

New posts on this thread. Refresh page