Adapting Books for Students With Extensive Support Needs: Multiple Points of Access

Literacy is a crucial element in a person’s education, and widespread literacy allows societies to thrive. However, individuals with extensive support needs (ESN) often face barriers to attaining literacy. Shared story reading is an evidence-based practice that has demonstrated effectiveness in increasing literacy outcomes for individuals with ESN. A core component of shared story reading is the use of adapted books to create access to the general curriculum. This article presents an inclusive approach to literacy instruction to meet the needs of students with ESN through books adapted for multiple points of access (i.e., physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural). Examples of how to adapt book elements across the multiple access points are provided and the implications for practice are discussed.