Students with disabilities tend to have difficulty in several areas of reading. Research has shown that students struggle with the foundation of text or letter sounds; while others struggle with their fluency skills or their reading comprehension skills. Students who struggle with reading have a deficit in one or more areas of the reading instruction components. Research has shown it is critical for students to learn how to read early in their schooling. Carrie Forster will present on the five basic reading skills including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. In the presentation, she will explain each reading component area (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension), along with skills and strategies that will benefit students who struggle with reading. Educators who have a strong understanding of the essential areas of reading, in addition to utilizing research-based reading strategies, will help improve reading skills for students with disabilities.