I CAN ADAPTIVE BOOKS are interactive books especially designed and modified in a way that makes them more accessible to children who have difficulty with typical books.
They either have big images, repetitive text, etc. to make learning easier for the children who have difficulty in any ways to use the normal books. The adaptive books make hours of learning fun. These books engage the students to learn a new skill, concept, or topic through visual aids without even realising that they are learning. They can be adapted for different age groups and skill levels.
The Adapted books are the Velcro based laminated books, with moveable pieces that incorporates all of the VAKT principles (Visual, Audio, Kinaesthetic and Tactile). These adaptive books involves all of these sensory areas of the child, and helps them to learn faster.
Visual (input): The pictures and images
Audio (input): From the teacher or the parent who is with the child, reading out.
Kinaesthetic (input): The child uses the fingers to remove the pieces (the cut-outs) and place them where ever needed.
Tactile (input): The child feels the texture of the soft and the rough Velcro, that stimulates the brain.
Few of the books also include the PECS symbols for the Visual readers. These symbols are great for the children who use the AAC.
The Adaptive books are a very good aid for speech therapy sessions as they are interactive, motivating and they target various language skills.
Many of these books, especially the file folders, allow the children to feel successful. The children also feel being a part of the book as they have to either add or move pieces within the book.
The Adaptive books start from the basic levels of all the concepts. They are designed in a sequential level upgrades. The file folders are designed for independent work. The task cards come in task boxes, which aids like an assessment for the concepts learnt.
The benefits of adaptive books are innumerable, if they are used in a proper planned way. They help in designing the IEP for the kids with Special needs like (Autism, MR, Down syndrome….). At the same time, for the children with Learning Disability, these Adaptive books are like a blessing. They can improve very fast and easily, provided they get the right guidance.