Audio books - A good alternative for slow readers, or not?

[fluffyhamster]

DS2 (8) is not a 'natural' reader/bookworm. We had him assessed (thought he might be dyslexic) and it was suggested to us that he has 'slow processing' issues, and that reading is actually physically quite hard work for him i.e. therefore not enjoyable.

This summer I've got him lots of audiobooks from the library and he's loved them - spends time in his room listening/playing.

I'm thinking that this may be a good way to expose him to a greater range and number of books that he wouldn't otherwise get to access? We read with him every night, but it takes a long time to finish books, and he still won't read on his own.

DH doesn't agree though - he thinks audiobooks might make DS2 'lazy' and then he will NEVER read on his own?
From my point of view, DS2 doesn't seem to have any interest in reading himself, and at least this may open up his mind to a range of books etc?

He also has to complete a 'book list' for when he goes back to school, and I've told he can include some of the audiobooks he's listened to (and perhaps explain to his teacher about the reading issue??)

Any thoughts/experiences?

I think Audio books are a great way to build his vocab and comprehension, and won't make him lazy. If he loves them, definately keep them coming. You can join the calibre library to get more.

Did they give you any tips about what to do to help his slow processing????

Thanks indigo.

The meeting about his slow processing was right at the end of last term, so we will be following up with his new teacher in Sept .

What's the calibre library? We already get audio books from the local library, and I'm thinking of joining Audible too...

Calibre Library

Can you please post in Sep if they give you any tips about slow processing? My DD has this too...

But school and the Ed Psych / SpLD team have no suggestions at all about what to do to help her... :(

Oh yes, I will! My face was because I also felt a bit 'brushed off' when I asked what to do, but put it down to it being end of term etc...

I hate the 'label' slow in any context and DS is very bright in many other aspects...

How old is your DD?

My DD is 7 - she's going into year 3.

I have also started several threads about slow processing on MN (here and in SN) and not got much help.

We are probably going to try this Neuro Development Program with her - but apart from that I have no ideas.

Regarding the original question about audio books.
AS long as you are still doing regular reading practice with him, I think audio books are a great idea. They actually involve some of the "skills" that are needed with reading such as comprehension, understanding new vocabulary, and building an imaginary picture of the story. They may help him develop more enthusiasm and understanding for the way things are written (uses of adjectives and adverbs, metaphor etc) that he may find hard to appreciate when he is struggling with the reading. All of these things should also help him with his writing skills. Also, as you say, it will expose him to a greater range of books than otherwise. Go for it!

Yes too, to explaining about his reading issues to his new teacher. If it were me, I'd also give him/her a copy of any reports you were given following assessment with key points highlighted, saying that I thought it would be useful and helpful for him/her to have this information!

Thanks Indigo for that calibre link. Im going to print off forms for my DSs tonight, both are dyslexic.

My DCs love audio books, even DD who is a great reader loves the Harry Potter Audio books. For slow/poor readers they are recommended to help comprehension skills.

DS has dyslexic problems although with him reading did click when he was 7. However he wouldn't read books, but our library had a really good selection of audio books (you can now download from their internet site) and he always loved to have an audio book to go to bed with.

His teachers all said this was good, because it gave him access to literacy.
Just before he was 13 I bought him a set of alex rider on cd. One more book was just published but not in the collection and wanted to wanted to find out what happened next and decided to read the book and after that he started reading novels for himself.

Audio books certainly helped my son. It also helps if they listen to a book several times and then try to read the paper book, my son found he could read quite fluently this way.

However you do need to check they are comprehending what they are listening to.

The book people do a lot of cheap Audio books btw. Do also check what is available from your local library, ours has audio books and also has downloadable books.

Slow processing means what it says on the tin, that it can take more time to comprehend information. (Nothing really to do with slow being a euphemism for thick.) You do need to be aware as just this can mean a child is entitled to extra time in exams etc.

It can also be part of something like Dyslexia.

My DD adores audio books (she is not a keen reader - although she's only six so plenty of time for it to come ), and she has a fantastic vocabulary, much of it picked up from audio books.

We borrow from the local library, but have also built up a collection of our own over the last 2 years - when people ask what she needs for birthdays/Christmas, we also request them. I think its good for her to listen to the same one many times, as she builds up her understanding of the plot and themes over several listenings. This is especially helpful with books which are a bit "too hard" for her - eg She now loves (and undertstands) Alice in Wonderland, as she has listened to it so many times.

I think listening to her audiobooks has only increased her love of stories, and her grasp of writen text. Even though they are not reading it themselves, they still develop an understanding of the way stories work and are developed, and of course they get to enjoy literature they would not otherwise have access to.

Her (and DS's) very favourite, which gets listened to at least once a week, is The Enchanted Wood, narrated by Kate Winslet. Its pricey, but well worth the cost.

www.bookdepository have audio books quite cheap - often on sale.

sorry, www.bookdepository.co.uk

Thanks for all these replies and suggestions - I think I'm only just beginning to realise that there are so many other ways he can access books.

His vocabulary is quite good, and I think a lot of this comes from his listening skills(which are much better than his reading/viewing skills).

It's just such a pain that so much of school life and academic 'success' depends on the ability to read/ write and process information quickly .