Autism is a rare and distressing mental disability, but a constructive approach can do much to help the autistic child. Autistic children crave structure with hands-on learning, such as vivid books or software. They memorise visually: sight reading, flash cards, etc. Their analytical nature craves facts, details and logic presented methodically, making computers patient teachers. They prefer working in a quiet setting.

Children with autism have difficulty mastering language. Written scripts and picture cue cards can help increase their understanding. Objects and pictures provide concrete bridges to words. This is where Readers are Leaders can assist the autistic child. It is imperative that the parent works closely with the child. The programme is of particular use in the lower levels where pictorial aids accompany each story. The parent can show the child the picture and discuss it verbally. Once the parent has the child's attention, the story can be read aloud to the child. This can be repeated as many times as necessary.

The comprehension questions can be asked orally, with the parent providing clues to the answers. The child can then look at the vocabulary words and repeat them if necessary. The parent can make flash cards, using these words to increase the child's vocabulary. Exercises can be repeated as often as necessary to ensure that the child has grasped the necessary concepts. While some autistic children read phonetically, many are natural sight-readers. They gain new words by reading labels on household objects, book and software.

Readers are Leaders teaches children new words and reinforces these words to ensure understanding, for example, word recognition, word definition and vocabulary exercises. Young autistic children love books based on their specific interests. Readers are Leaders is a programme that has a variety of passages, which are age-appropriate. An example of this is level 1 - pets, holidays, animals, family, etc. These topics should be of specific interest to the younger child.