This book is designed to give parents and teachers of children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays an alternative reading program. The program is based on a functional, language-experience approach which attempts to compensate for common deficits in auditory memory and verbal skills. The seven chapters of Part 1 describe how children with Down syndrome learn and process information. Ways to maximize their learning experiences, capitalize on their strengths, and compensate for deficiencies are stressed. Case histories and anecdotes illustrate key ideas. Part 2 considers how to get a reading program started. Its four chapters review methods and learning activities for teaching sight words, introducing the alphabet, beginning phonics and word families, and writing and spelling. Part 3 offers more ideas to further develop the child's skills. These are organized into reading units which address: action words, household words, self-image, feelings, colors and animals, foods, and time (schedules and calendars). Appendices include a summary of reading approaches and programs; instructional materials such as models for printing, picture cards and flash cards, and game forms; and sample "books" based on phonetically related word families. (Contains 40 references.) (DB)