Practices within an integrated approach to teaching oral language, reading, and writing through children’s literature for students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities

Authors

  • Judith Beaulieu Université du Québec en Outaouais
  • Noémia Ruberto Université du Québec en Outaouais
  • Edith Jolicoeur Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • Marilyn Dupuis-Brouillette Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • André C. Moreau Université du Québec en Outaouais
  • Naomi Labrosse-Noury Université du Québec en Outaouais

Keywords:

Severe to profound intellectual disability, oral language, reading and writing, integrated approach, teaching practices

Abstract

The integrated approach to teaching oral language, reading, and writing has been shown to have positive effects on the development of students’ skills (Morin et al., 2005). Beaulieu et al. (2023) proposed an adaptation of this approach, using children’s literature, to align with the personal characteristics of students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities (SPID). When new practices are introduced to professionals, they tend to modify them as they adopt them. This research project offers workshops based on the principles adapted by Beaulieu et al. (2023) to teachers working with students with SPID. The objective is to describe the practices and the modifications made by teachers as they implement the workshops.

Author Biographies

Judith Beaulieu, Université du Québec en Outaouais

is a professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Her research focuses on the interaction between educational tools, teaching practices, and the characteristics of students with disabilities. From the perspective of interaction between the individual and their environment, she is particularly interested in the use of children’s literature for teaching reading and writing to students with disabilities. judith.beaulieu@uoq.ca

Noémia Ruberto, Université du Québec en Outaouais

is a professor in the Department of Education at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (Canada). She holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in French didactics, as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education. She worked as a learning specialist in schools for about ten years. Her research focuses on the difficulties associated with learning to read and write in French, as well as on describing the work of learning specialists. noemia.ruberto@uqo.ca

Edith Jolicoeur, Université du Québec à Rimouski

is a professor and researcher at the Université du Québec à Rimouski, Lévis campus. She is a regular researcher at the University Institute for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her research projects focus on access to literacy and the challenges related to the educational, professional, and social inclusion of people with special needs. edith.jolicoeur@uqar.ca

Marilyn Dupuis-Brouillette, Université du Québec à Rimouski

is a professor of mathematics education at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. She is interested in inclusive education and inclusive practices, accessible mathematics teaching methods, school adaptation, and the situation of students with disabilities, particularly those with language difficulties. marilyn.dupuis-brouillette@uqar.ca

André C. Moreau, Université du Québec en Outaouais

is a learning specialist and research associate at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC). He is interested in understanding the relationship between literacy learning and inclusive educational environments. His research and publications address the development of literacy skills, the factors that promote it, school transitions, and professional learning communities. andre.moreau@uqo.ca

Naomi Labrosse-Noury, Université du Québec en Outaouais

is a research assistant on this project. At the time, she was a master’s student and was interested in the effects of specialized programs in secondary school.

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Published

2026-04-23

How to Cite

Beaulieu, J., Ruberto, N., Jolicoeur, E., Dupuis-Brouillette, M., Moreau, A. C., & Labrosse-Noury, N. (2026). Practices within an integrated approach to teaching oral language, reading, and writing through children’s literature for students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill. Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/10186

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