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.

Why It's So Effective for Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects how the brain processes language. Many people with dyslexia have difficulty with phonological awareness—the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. Because traditional reading methods often assume this skill is innate, they can fail for a student with dyslexia.

The OG approach directly targets this core weakness. By explicitly teaching the relationship between sounds and letters in a multisensory way, it builds the foundational skills that are missing. It teaches the "why" and "how" behind reading, giving your child the tools to decode new words and become an independent, confident reader.

For more info, take a look at The Orton-Gillingham Academy (AOGPE): 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.