How Indigenous Stories Are Helping Autistic Children Improve Literacy— And What You Can Learn From Them

In honor of Indigenous People's Day, let’s dive into something you might not know: Indigenous storytelling traditions could hold the key to helping autistic children engage with literacy in powerful new ways.

At Kids Celebrate, we believe in the power of stories to connect us, especially for children on the autism spectrum who may struggle with traditional learning methods. Today, we'll explore the fascinating link between autism, literacy, and Indigenous stories.

The Connection Between Autism and Literacy

Did you know? About 6-14% of children with autism experience hyperlexia, meaning they read beyond their age level but struggle with comprehension.

For many autistic children, reading is more than just decoding words—it’s a way to connect with the world, especially when social interaction feels difficult.

However, there’s a gap in tailored literacy programs, especially for autistic children in underrepresented communities like Indigenous populations. Research shows that cultural storytelling can help bridge this gap. But how?

What Indigenous Storytelling Can Teach Us About Literacy

Indigenous cultures often use storytelling to pass down history, traditions, and values. These stories are rhythmic, structured, and filled with patterns—something that can greatly benefit children on the autism spectrum who thrive on predictability and repetition.

A study by the University of British Columbia found that integrating Indigenous storytelling into education programs improved literacy engagement for both neurotypical and neurodiverse children. For autistic children, these types of stories:

-Offer structure and repetition, which are comforting.

-Use visual imagery and simple language to help with comprehension.

-By connecting culturally rich stories to literacy, we can help children with autism feel more engaged and seen.

The Literacy Challenges for Indigenous and Autistic Children

While cultural storytelling has enormous benefits, Indigenous children with autism often face significant barriers to accessing the right resources. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):

Many Indigenous communities lack funding for special education programs tailored to neurodiverse needs.

This can lead to lower literacy engagement and fewer opportunities for autistic children to connect with culturally relevant stories.

The solution? Providing more inclusive, culturally connected literacy resources for children in these communities.

How Three Special Sisters Helps Build Inclusive Literacy

At Kids Celebrate, our goal is to create stories that resonate with all children, especially those with diverse and neurodiverse backgrounds. Our upcoming book, Three Special Sisters, does just that by celebrating the unique strengths of children with autism while promoting empathy and inclusivity.

Here’s how our book ties into the theme of Indigenous storytelling:

Diversity: Three Special Sisters celebrates differences, just like many Indigenous stories that pass down wisdom through a variety of perspectives.

Engagement: Through sensory-friendly activities and interactive companion packs (available with the book), children with autism can deepen their connection to the story and improve their literacy skills.

We believe that stories like Three Special Sisters can help bridge the gap for children who need a little extra support in developing reading comprehension—just as Indigenous storytelling traditions have done for centuries.

What You Can Do Today

Looking for ways to engage your child with autism in literacy? Here are some tips based on cultural storytelling traditions:

1. Choose Culturally Rich Stories: Look for books that reflect diverse experiences and cultures. Stories with repetitive patterns or strong visuals are especially helpful for children on the autism spectrum.

2. Use Interactive Resources: Explore interactive storybook packs (like ours!) to keep your child engaged with the material. Activities like mazes, tracing letters, or coloring pages help develop both fine motor skills and comprehension.

3. Incorporate Routine and Repetition: Stories with clear patterns and routines can help autistic children feel more comfortable and engaged during reading time.

Join Us in Promoting Inclusive Literacy!

On this Indigenous People's Day, we invite you to celebrate the power of storytelling with us by pre-ordering Three Special Sisters! Our book, combined with free interactive companion packs, provides valuable literacy tools for neurodiverse children.

Sources:

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

University of British Columbia, Indigenous Education and Autism Literacy Study

---

Takeaway

Stories have the power to connect us across cultures and experiences. Whether it's through Indigenous oral traditions or new children's books like Three Special Sisters, we believe in the power of inclusive storytelling to foster understanding, empathy, and literacy for all.

Ready to help your child engage with literacy? Pre-order Three Special Sisters today!