A free, web-based app that targets listening comprehension and reading comprehension for preschoolers on the autism spectrum with hyperlexia

What is ARC? 


Activities for Reading Comprehension (ARC)
 is a free, web-based application that  supports early reading
comprehension and listening comprehension skills for preschoolers
on the autism spectrum spectrum with hyperlexia.


Hyperlexia is a reading comprehension disorder characterized by
early (as young as 2 years old) and accurate word reading in the presence of poor reading comprehension.
​
Approximately 6-20% of preschoolers on the autism spectrum
present with hyperlexia. Children with hyperlexia have an early interest in letters,
words, and an ability to read words, in the absence of any formal
reading instruction, but cannot understand what they read. 

ARC follows a developmental framework!
ARC first focuses on establishing listening comprehension
for target words, then proceeds to reading comprehension -
all using word-picture matching.
Word progression proceeds in a developmentally appropriate manner. That is, ARC begins with single-word nouns, then proceeds to adjectives and verbs. ARC progresses from single words to phrases, then sentences and short and long paragraphs. 

ARC is customizable!
You can add your own content, e.g., images and words for each level.  

ARC is research-based!
The study examining the efficacy of the ARC application was published in  the
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (JADD) in 2021. The study was conducted by the BAND research group, including Drs. Dianne Macdonald and Eve-Marie Quintin, as well as Dr. Gigi Luk from McGill University.

Best of all - ARC is FREE!!
Click on the ARC App Access page, then the Instruction pages to get started!


 For more information about this study please contact 
Dianne Macdonald, PhD, S-LP
at 819-328-8014 or dianne@communication-works.ca
or
Eve-Marie Quintin, Psy.D., PhD at
514-398-7194 or research.band@mcgill.ca
McGill Research and Ethics Board (REB) reviewed this study for compliance with ethical standards and norms.
McGill University Behaviour, Autism, and NeuroDevelopment (BAND) research group
Groupe de recherche behaviorale sur l'autisme et le neurodéveloppement (BAND) de l'Université McGill
research.band@mcgill.ca; 514-398-7194; https://www.mcgill.ca/researchband/