EP 23: Supporting Reading, Writing and Spelling in Autism

EP 23: Supporting Reading, Writing and Spelling in Autism

From Adapting Together by Carmen Loke, Gan Xin Yi and Kevin Neoh

February 7, 2026 · 48 min · Season 1 · Episode 23

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges of supporting reading, writing, and spelling in children with autism and dyslexia, featuring insights from a literacy specialist.

Reading can be one of the most confusing and emotionally charged challenges for parents, especially when a child is navigating both autism and dyslexia. Many parents find themselves asking: Is my child struggling because of autism? Dyslexia? Or something else entirely? And how do I know what kind of help actually works? In this episode of Adapting Together , we sit down with Rachel , a Literacy Specialist who works closely with children with dyslexia and children on the autism spectrum. Drawing from her real-world experience, Rachel helps unpack what dyslexia really is, how it can look different in autistic children, and why early, accurate understanding matters so much. We explore how professionals assess children who may be facing overlapping challenges, what key patterns parents can look out for, and how reading difficulties related to dyslexia differ from autism-related learning differences. Rachel also shares practical, evidence-informed intervention approaches—along with a meaningful success story that shows what progress can look like when the right support is in place. Beyond therapy rooms, this conversation also looks at everyday life. We discuss how teachers can better…

People in this episode

Guest: Rachel

Topics covered

  • reading
  • writing
  • spelling
  • autism
  • dyslexia
  • parenting
  • education

Keywords

  • literacy
  • intervention
  • assessment
  • support strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Adapting Together

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