Introduction to Orton-Gillingham

Orton-Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach designed to help individuals with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. This methodology emphasizes the connection between spelling and sounds, ensuring that students can decode and spell accurately and efficiently. As a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact this approach can have on struggling readers. The Orton-Gillingham approach can help (nearly) any student improve their basic reading and spelling skills. But not every child needs such a granular, step-by-step approach to reading instruction. The students who need it most are those who have struggled through reading instruction in school, or with general “reading tutors,” but who still aren’t making enough progress. Orton-Gillingham tutoring can make a significant difference for these students because skills are broken down and repeated at the pace they need, until they get it!

What is Orton-Gillingham Tutoring?

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a highly effective teaching method that uses a sequential, cumulative, and explicit approach to teach reading and spelling. Developed by Dr. Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, this methodology is particularly beneficial for individuals with dyslexia. The OG approach involves teaching the structure of language in a systematic way, combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning elements to enhance memory and learning.

As a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor, I pair the most effective elements of the classic Orton-Gillingham approach with newer techniques based on recent research. By incorporating instruction in the areas of vocabulary, phonemic awareness, writing and morphology instruction, I help students grow in all their areas of literacy need.

How Does Orton-Gillingham Tutoring Work?

Orton-Gillingham tutoring is tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. Here’s how it works:

1. Assessment: Each student begins tutoring with an assessment to determine their current reading abilities and needs. This includes asking them to read words in a list and/or in a brief story, spell words with particular patterns, and answer questions about their reading. This helps me to identify the right starting point for tutoring.

2. Personalized Lesson Plans: Based on the assessment, I create personalized lesson plans to address the student’s specific needs. These lessons review recently taught concepts and/or introduce a new concept. Each lesson includes multiple opportunities for reading and writing practice that help students retain what they learn and use it.

3. Multisensory Instruction: Orton-Gillingham tutoring lessons incorporate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements to reinforce learning. For example, students might say each sound in a word while writing the letters, which helps their brain form the connection between the written letter and the sound.

4. Sequential and Cumulative: Skills are taught in a logical order, building from simple to more complex, with each lesson building on previous ones. That means that review is an essential part of Orton-Gillingham tutoring, One skill might be repeated for several lessons in a row, or I might bring back a concept from last season if I notice errors.

5. Explicit Instruction: Concepts are taught explicitly and systematically, ensuring that students fully understand each component of the language before moving on. Traditional Orton-Gillingham tutoring requires students to learn the definitions for terms (such as consonant, vowel, noun, and consonant digraph) used in reading lessons. For many students, naming the concept is a helpful practice that strengthens connection and recall. For other students, particularly those with attention, language, communication, or memory vulnerabilities, the amount of verbal information in a classic Orton-Gillingham lesson can be counterproductive. Sometimes students show their understanding by sorting words, using them appropriately in sentences, or answering multiple choice questions. I also use reference pages and posters to help students recall terms and identify examples in their reading.

Who Can Benefit from Orton-Gillingham Tutoring?

The OG approach is ideal for students of all ages who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing. This includes:

– Children diagnosed with dyslexia

– Students with other learning disabilities or neurodivergence

– English language learners

– Individuals who have not responded to traditional reading instruction

What Are the Benefits of Orton-Gillingham Tutoring?

The Orton-Gillingham approach offers numerous benefits:

  • Improved Reading and Spelling Skills: By focusing on the structure of language, students develop strong decoding, encoding and comprehension skills.
  • Increased Fluency and Automaticity: Through carefully selected lesson activities, students OG lessons learn to read and spell words not just accurately, but automatically. Some students need just a few exposures to learn a concept, while a dyslexic students may need dozens or hundreds of chances to practice.
  • Increased Confidence: As students experience success with reading and spelling, their self-esteem and confidence grow. Reading unlocks opportunities to learn, communicate and explore the world!
  • Tailored Learning: Each lesson is customized to meet the individual needs of the student, ensuring targeted and effective instruction. Some struggling readers have been sitting in classrooms where good teaching happens. But if they don’t have the prerequisite skills, or the class only repeats what they already know, students stay stuck.

Is it possible to get online Orton-Gillingham tutoring?

Yes. There are many benefits to in-person literacy tutoring, especially for young learners. But online tutoring also makes it possible to support students who live all over the country! As a tutor for older struggling readers, I know it can be challenging to find a tutor with the right skills near you. Offering tutoring online means I can meet the needs of students all over!

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

The time it takes to see results with explicit reading and writing tutoring varies. It depends on the student’s initial skill level, the frequency of tutoring sessions, and the student’s engagement and practice. Many students begin to show improvement within a few months of consistent tutoring, but ongoing support may be necessary to achieve long-term success. Younger students generally catch up faster than older students. That’s why prompt diagnosis and intervention is so essential.

What Makes Orton-Gillingham Different from Other Reading Programs?

Orton-Gillingham stands out from other reading programs due to its multisensory, individualized approach. Unlike one-size-fits-all methods, OG is designed to adapt to each student’s unique learning needs. The emphasis on explicit instruction and cumulative learning ensures that no gaps are left in the student’s understanding of language.

Finding an Orton-Gillingham Tutor

When looking for an Orton-Gillingham tutor, it is important to choose someone who is certified and experienced in this specialized approach. A qualified tutor will have undergone extensive training and be able to provide personalized instruction tailored to your child’s specific needs. Look for tutors who have certifications from recognized organizations.

Conclusion

Orton-Gillingham tutoring can be a game-changer for individuals struggling with reading and spelling. By using a structured, multisensory approach, this methodology helps students develop the skills they need to become confident, independent readers. If you are interested in learning more about Orton-Gillingham tutoring or would like to schedule an assessment, please contact me today.

Next Steps

If your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, or is showing signs of dyslexia, contact us today for a free consultation.

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