Readin Horizons Phonics Program

I have had the opportunity to try various reading programs with children who have an ASD, one of which is the Reading Horizons phonics program.  So far I have found that this is the best program for children with an ASD to learn phonemic skills that are needed for reading.  While using this program I have had several struggling readers all of a sudden make great gains in their reading and spelling because of what they have learned with this program.  The program is very visual which is perfect for children with visual strengths.  Through direct instructional practice, the children learn to mark the various letters in a word and learn the rules for why a vowel would be long or short.  I have noticed that my students now pay attention to the whole word and attempt to read the entire word instead of saying the first sound and saying whatever word they make up that starts with that letter.  They have become more consistent with knowing their vowel sounds and looking for the "silent e" within their reading.  I have also found that this program works well for my students with dyslexia.  Below is a sample of how a child would mark a word.

     _ *
cake

      x    

The program comes with lesson manuals and practice sheets that can be used.  It also comes with a CD that shows how to teach the program as well as various games and activities that can be done.  My students loved learning about how to "clap and slide" words and I have several students that now do that on their own when trying to sound out a new word.  The program also comes with leveled cards that can be used to practice skills that have been worked on.  I have laminated my set of cards and the children will use them for extra practice during our reading rotation time. 

As I have researched the program more, I have found that there are CD lessons that can be used and you can give children online access to work on their phonics skill.  I have not been able to test this aspect of the program.  There are also various kits that can be purchased including those for adult ESL which looks like it might be good for older individuals who are struggling.  They have a home schooling version as well. 

I would highly recommend this program for teachers and parents looking for a good phonics program to help struggling readers with a high-functioning ASD.