Orton Gillingham: Frequently Asked Questions

Orton Gillingham reading instruction is a highly effective, research-based approach for teaching children how to read and write. Instruction is tailored with the student in mind, considering his or her specific learning difficulties, strengths, interests, and preferences. Lessons are uniquely designed by a trained therapist who is closely attuned to the needs of the student. 

Considered the Gold Standard for reading instruction, Orton Gillingham is essential when supporting students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. It closely follows research from the Science of Reading and breaks reading and spelling down into skills involving letters and sounds and builds on these skills over time. Read more about why Orton-Gillingham is an effective remediation approach for dyslexia.

Orton Gillingham is a highly multisensory approach to reading instruction that uses all the child’s visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic neural pathways to strengthen literacy skills. An experienced Orton Gillingham instructor will also incorporate a variety of multisensory games to engage and motivate students. Learn more about the role of gamification in effective academic instruction.

Instruction should be provided by a trained or certified Orton-Gillingham instructor. It’s important to ensure that the person providing instruction has received extensive formal training in the O-G approach and has experience working with children with language difficulties. O-G instructors typically have a teaching background, however, there are many kinds of professionals who also decide to pursue an Orton-Gillingham credential.

Finding the right tutor or therapist for your struggling reader or writer is crucial. This choice can significantly impact your child’s academic journey, helping them overcome difficulties with decoding, comprehension, spelling, composition, or fluency, and fostering a love for reading and writing. With many options available, it’s essential to know what to look for and the right questions to ask to ensure the best fit for your child’s needs. Here is your complete guide to finding a qualified Orton-Gillingham Therapist. You can also Contact Us to get paired with a stellar Orton Gillingham Therapist.

The length of time a child needs O-G instruction can vary depending on his or her individual needs and progress. Generally, O-G is a long-term intervention that requires consistent and structured instruction for months or even years. Many children benefit from daily O-G sessions, but the frequency and duration of sessions can be adjusted to meet individual needs.  It is worth noting that the more frequently O-G instruction is provided, the shorter the timeframe becomes to see significant progress.  Most instructors recommend a schedule of at least two sessions each week.

During an Orton Gillingham session, the instructor will provide explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction tailored to the child’s needs. There is a review of prior knowledge at the beginning of every session, with smaller reminders of previously taught skills.  The instruction should focus on alphabetic knowledge, phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, writing composition, and comprehension. Sessions may include activities such as letter-sound drills, discovering decoding patterns in word lists, building grammatically complete sentences, and reading comprehension exercises.  Students should feel successful and supported, as the instruction is tailored to their current level of performance and the pace at which they are capable.

Regular progress monitoring is an important component of O-G instruction. The instructor will administer assessments and monitor progress frequently to ensure that the child is making gains in reading proficiency. You can also monitor progress at home by observing your child’s reading ability and fluency.  Regularly communicate with the instructor about your student’s progress.

Anyone who experienced the initial school shutdowns in 2020 and 2021 knows that online schooling had many shortcomings. Many parents might think that virtual schooling will never work for their child after experiencing “Zoom school.” However, not all virtual learning experiences are the same. A highly qualified Orton Gillingham instructor can provide effective and engaging sessions virtually. Interactive tools like educational games, videos, and simulations can make learning more enjoyable and engaging for children. Incorporating multi-sensory elements into virtual lessons, such as visual aids, music, and movement, can enhance information retention and make learning more effective. Music, visuals, and sound effects create an immersive experience, while movement helps children stay focused and engaged.

There are many ways to incorporate reading activities at home that follow the principles in Orton Gillingham. However, despite the best efforts of parents and teachers, some children do not progress in literacy skills as quickly as their peers. In such cases, the support of an Orton-Gillingham tutor or therapist can be a game-changer for your child. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your child meet their learning goals.

Parents can make reading enjoyable and effective at home even with a busy schedule. From engaging learning apps to low-prep activities, this free download is designed by our Certified Academic Language Therapists/Orton Gillingham instructor to support your child’s reading journey!