Dolch Sight Words Cards for Autistic Children — Printable
Printable Dolch sight words flashcards — the most common English words for autistic children to recognise by sight.
Sight words — the, is, and, you, my — appear in almost every English sentence and don't sound the way they look. Autistic children read faster when these are recognised by sight, not decoded. This printable Dolch flashcard set is the gentlest way to get there. One new word a week is enough.
The most common words in English — recognized by sight, not sounded out
- 1Print and laminate. Keep as a card deck with a rubber band.
- 2One new word per week. Show it every day — at meals, bath time, casually. No lesson.
- 3When they recognize 5 words without hesitation — real reading is beginning.
Questions parents ask
What are sight words and why do they help my autistic child?
Sight words — the, is, and, you, my — appear in almost every English sentence but don't sound the way they look. For an autistic child, memorising them by shape is faster than trying to sound them out. Once a handful of sight words are recognised, whole sentences become readable.
How many sight words should we do at a time?
One new word a week. Show it casually every day — on the fridge, at the study table, before bed. Do not test. When your child says it without prompting, add the next one.
My child mixes up 'the' and 'they'. How do I fix it?
This is normal at the start. Put the two cards side by side and point out the extra letters in 'they'. Focus on ONE of them for a week, then bring the second back. Mixing up similar words means learning is happening, not failing.