Orton-Gillingham Tutoring

The Orton-Gillingham approach is a structured, systematic, and multisensory way of teaching reading, writing, and spelling. It's not a one-size-fits-all program, but rather a flexible and diagnostic approach that is tailored to each student's unique needs. It was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Samuel Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator, specifically for students who struggled with "word-blindness," which we now call dyslexia.

How OG Tutoring Works

OG tutoring is successful because it teaches in a way that directly addresses the challenges faced by someone with dyslexia. It's based on a few key principles:

1. Multisensory Learning: This is the hallmark of OG. Traditional teaching often relies on just sight and sound. OG, however, engages multiple senses at the same time: Visual: The student sees the letter or word. Auditory: The student hears the sound and says it out loud. Kinesthetic/Tactile: The student uses movement and touch, like tracing a letter in sand, using their finger to "tap out" the sounds in a word, or writing the letter in the air.This combination creates stronger connections in the brain and helps to make learning "stick."
2. Explicit and Sequential Instruction: The English language can seem random, but OG shows that it follows predictable rules. A tutor breaks down reading and spelling into their smallest parts—sounds, syllables, and word parts—and teaches them one by one. Concepts are taught in a logical order, moving from the simplest to the most complex.
3. Cumulative Review: A new lesson always builds on what was taught before. The tutor constantly reviews previously learned skills to ensure that they are fully mastered before moving on. This prevents gaps in a student's learning and builds a strong, solid foundation.
4. Diagnostic and Prescriptive: The tutor is constantly assessing your child's progress. If your child struggles with a particular concept, the tutor will slow down, re-teach it, and provide more practice until they achieve mastery. Lessons are custom-designed for your child, not a pre-set curriculum.

For more info, take a look at The Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA): The Academy is the original organization that certifies practitioners in the method. Their website offers a wealth of information on what OG is, its history, and its foundational principles.