Reading isn’t just about recognizing words on a page—it’s about making sense of what those words mean. For many students with autism, especially those with high-functioning autism and reading difficulties, comprehension is where the real challenge begins. While they may read fluently or even above grade level, understanding the story’s deeper meaning, emotions, or abstract ideas can feel confusing or overwhelming.
This is because students with autism often process information in a concrete, literal way, which makes it harder to interpret figurative language, character motivations, or implied meaning. These struggles can lead to frustration and disengagement with reading.
At La Jolla Learning, we use evidence-based strategies to bridge this gap—helping students learn how to visualize, connect with, and truly understand what they’re reading. Combined with the power of 1:1 instruction, our programs are designed to make reading more accessible, meaningful, and enjoyable for students with autism.
Why Reading Comprehension Can Be Difficult for Students with Autism
For many students with autism, especially those who are high-functioning, reading aloud or recognizing words isn’t the issue—it’s what comes after that presents the greatest challenge. Reading comprehension, the ability to understand and interpret what’s being read, often requires abstract thinking, emotional insight, and flexible interpretation—areas that can be difficult for individuals on the spectrum.
Concrete vs. Abstract Thinking
One of the key reasons for this difficulty is the difference in how individuals with autism often process information. Many are concrete thinkers, meaning they interpret language very literally. In contrast, reading often asks us to go beyond the surface—to imagine what characters feel, to interpret metaphors, or to infer meaning from subtle cues.
For students with high-functioning autism and reading difficulties, this abstract layer of reading can be confusing or feel inaccessible. Phrases like “he had butterflies in his stomach” may be taken literally, or the emotional motivation behind a character’s actions may be misunderstood or missed entirely.
Other Common Challenges in Autism and Reading:
- Difficulty identifying emotions or social cues within a story
- Trouble understanding figurative or non-literal language (e.g., idioms, sarcasm)
- Challenges in making inferences or predictions based on context
- Difficulty shifting perspective to understand different character viewpoints
- Struggles with synthesizing ideas across paragraphs or longer passages
These challenges don’t reflect a lack of intelligence or potential—they reflect how differently the autistic brain processes and interprets information. The good news is, with the right strategies and support, students with autism can build strong, confident reading comprehension skills.
Common Reading Comprehension Challenges
For many students with autism, reading itself isn’t the problem—it’s understanding what they’ve read that’s difficult. They may struggle to grasp characters’ emotions, interpret figurative language, or understand why events happen in a story.
These challenges often stem from differences in how students with autism process information. While they may excel at recalling facts or details, making inferences or reading between the lines can feel unclear or overwhelming. As texts become more complex, so do the expectations around interpretation, making it harder for these students to stay engaged or feel successful.
With the right strategies and support, however, these blockers can be addressed—turning reading into something both meaningful and enjoyable.
Strategies to Support Reading Comprehension in Autism
1. Visualization: Turning Words into Images
Help students create a vivid “movie scene” in their mind as they read. Encourage them to think about the colors, background, sounds, and characters in each moment. This helps bridge the gap between abstract words and concrete understanding.
2. Break It Down
Start small—focus on reading words or single sentences before moving on to paragraphs or pages. Building comprehension in layers reduces overwhelm and builds confidence.
3. Use Guided Questions
Ask open-ended questions like:
- “What do you picture happening here?”
- “Why did that character do that?”
- “How do you think they felt?”
These prompts help students engage with the text on a deeper level.
4. Support with Visual Aids
Tools like story maps, emotion charts, or graphic organizers can help students visually organize what they’ve read. This supports memory, sequencing, and understanding.
How La Jolla Learning Supports Students with Autism and Reading Comprehension
At La Jolla Learning, we understand that students with autism and reading challenges need more than just traditional instruction—they need a personalized approach that meets them where they are. That’s why our programs are built around 1:1 support, helping students gradually grow from reading single words and sentences to understanding full pages with clarity and confidence.
Using strategies like visualization, guided questioning, and customized pacing, our educators help students turn reading into a meaningful, engaging experience. We focus on building comprehension in layers—reinforcing strengths while gently addressing challenges.
Whether your child is navigating high-functioning autism and reading difficulties or just starting to connect with texts emotionally and conceptually, we’re here to support their journey. With patience, structure, and evidence-based methods, we empower students to not only improve their reading skills but to enjoy reading in a way that feels accessible and rewarding.
