A trial of online ABRACADABRA literacy instruction with supplementary parent-led shared book reading for children with autism.
Online ABRACADABRA plus parent-shared book reading is easy to use but 16 hours did not improve reading for autistic children.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Bailey et al. (2022) tested 16 hours of online ABRACADABRA reading games plus parent-led shared book reading. Kids were 6-10 years old with autism. Half got the program at home. Half got their usual school reading plan.
What they found
Reading scores stayed flat for both groups after three months. Parents liked the program and used it, but kids did not read better. The extra book reading at home did not tip the scale.
How this fits with other research
Wetherby et al. (2018) and Perez et al. (2015) show parents coached online can help toddlers with autism. They cut problem behavior by a large share and lifted social skills fast. These wins clash with the flat reading scores here.
The gap is age and target. Toddlers learned to talk and play. Older kids had to master phonics and sight words. ABRACADABRA gave games, not live coaching. Less contact may explain why gains stayed at zero.
Bearss et al. (2025) also saw no added child behavior change when school staff got remote training. Like Benjamin, the online dose reached adults, not pupils. Both studies warn: remote help must land directly on the skill you want to grow.
Why it matters
If you want reading growth, 16 hours of game time is not enough for autistic elementary kids. Add live teacher or parent coaching tied to each reading target. Check Perez et al. (2015): weekly Zoom plus practice cut behavior fast. Copy that dose and contact level for literacy.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for accessible support for children with developmental disabilities. This study explored online literacy instruction with supplementary parent-led shared book reading (SBR) for children with autism. METHODS: Twenty-one children with autism (5-12 years) completed a battery of assessments (T1) before being assigned to ability matched Instruction (n = 10) and Control groups (n = 11). Instruction group participants completed 16 h of ABRACADABRA instruction working with a researcher 1:1 online and SBR activities at home with a parent over 8 weeks. All participants were reassessed after the instruction period (T2) and parents of children in the Instruction group were interviewed regarding their views and experiences. RESULTS: Quantitative analyses showed no significant improvements in reading for Instruction group children relative to Control group children. However, each child successfully participated in 16 online instruction sessions and qualitative data revealed that parents were generally positive about the program, with some observing improvements in their child's literacy skills and reading confidence. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: While it appears children with autism can participate in online literacy instruction, sixteen hours of online ABRACADABRA instruction with parent-led SBR may not be effective in improving their reading skills. Further research is required to explore whether more intensive and/or extended online instruction may be feasible and effective, and to improve uptake of parent-led book reading activities at home.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2022 · doi:10.1080/19404158.2014.979525