Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB)

Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) is a comprehensive early literacy intervention designed for students with severe disabilities (intellectual disabilities or autism), ages 5-10 years, who are verbal or nonverbal and reading below first-grade level. The curriculum has two components: Building With Sounds and Symbols (seven levels with five lessons each, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study using stories from 'All About Moe' with a Moe puppet) and Building With Stories (shared story-reading using grade-level literature adapted for accessibility). ELSB uses systematic, direct instruction based on applied behavior analysis principles and incorporates receptive response formats (pointing, selecting pictures, eye gaze) to accommodate nonverbal students. Lessons are delivered daily for 30-40 minutes in small groups (typically two focal students and two general education reading buddies) by special education teachers alternating with paraprofessionals. The intervention addresses phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and reading conventions through explicit instruction with systematic prompting procedures and repeated practice opportunities.