How is this intervention unique? What were the researchers attempting to achieve?

The goal of this 3-year 18-student study was to provide explicit modeling, cumulative review, and 1:1 feedback when teaching students with IDD to read. Through the researcher designed scope and sequence of Friends on the Block, lessons included sight words, phonemic awareness, letter-sound learning, and later, decodable words.

What does the research evidence say about this intervention?

Dr. Jill Allor and her team of researchers achieved consistent moderate-to-strong positive effects for all students with both sight words and decodable words. As in all research articles, progress was individualized to student. Here, sight word progress outpaced decodable words, and was likely due to setup of the scope and sequence of the Friends on the Block Curriculum.

Find peer-reviewed article: Allor, J. H., Yovanoff, P., Otaiba, S. A., Ortiz, M. B., & Conner, C. (2020). Evidence for a literacy intervention for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 55(3), 290–302. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27077921

Is this intervention/curriculum available to parents and educators?

Yes. Friends on the Block can be purchased and joined at https://www.friendsontheblock.com/. The curriculum uses both a print and a digital component.

What is the cost?

Friends on the Block provides a free placement test, a few sample books, and learning resources. There is also a limited free membership.

A $60 one-time membership provides much of the curriculum and a $140 annual membership allows full access.