The Orton-Gillingham Approach to Structured Literacy
Orton-Gillingham is a highly effective, research-based instructional approach specifically designed to support children and adults with dyslexia and other reading challenges. This proven method helps learners of all ages improve their literacy skills, particularly in reading, writing, and spelling. What makes Orton-Gillingham unique is its structured, step-by-step process that incorporates a multisensory approach, which is personalized for each student’s needs, ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed.
How Orton-Gillingham Works:
Orton-Gillingham’s approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the cognitive challenges individuals with dyslexia face when it comes to reading. This method is based on the principle that language processing difficulties can be overcome through direct, explicit, and structured teaching that engages multiple senses at once. The primary goal is to help students connect the sounds of language (phonemes) with their corresponding letters or letter combinations (graphemes) and apply that knowledge to decode and encode words.
Phoneme and Morpheme Awareness: Orton-Gillingham helps students break down words into their smallest units of sound: phonemes (the sounds in words) and morphemes (the smallest meaningful parts of words). This approach enables learners to understand the building blocks of language and develop a deeper understanding of word structure.
Sound-to-Letter and Spelling Patterns: Students learn how specific sounds correspond to particular letters or letter combinations, which helps them read and spell unfamiliar words. In addition to phonics, they are also taught common spelling patterns and the complex rules of the English language spelling system, including irregular spelling rules that are essential for proficient reading and writing.
Multisensory Learning Techniques: A key element of Orton-Gillingham is its multisensory approach, which uses a combination of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile techniques to reinforce learning. Students might see letters and words, say them out loud, hear them spoken, feel their shapes with their fingers, and write them down to strengthen neural connections. This multisensory approach engages different parts of the brain and aids in the retention of language concepts.
Repetition and Practice: Consistent practice and repetition are central to the Orton-Gillingham method. Students do not simply learn to recognize words—they practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening to these words in various contexts. This cycle of model-and-do ensures that students internalize the skills they are learning, gradually building automaticity and fluency over time.
Grammatical Rules and Patterns: Beyond phonics, Orton-Gillingham incorporates teaching the rules of grammar and language structure that govern English spelling and writing. This gives students a clearer understanding of language and the tools to approach new words with confidence.
Understanding Dyslexia and Why Orton-Gillingham Works:
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in reading and writing, particularly when it comes to processing and integrating visual and auditory information related to written language. Research indicates that individuals with dyslexia often struggle to decode words using phonetic principles, which impairs their ability to read unfamiliar words. Many learners with dyslexia also tend to memorize words rather than apply systematic phonetic decoding strategies, making it harder to transfer their reading skills to new or complex vocabulary.
By engaging multiple senses—sight, sound, and touch—Orton-Gillingham provides an effective strategy to strengthen the connections in the brain that are essential for understanding and retaining foundational language skills. The combination of explicit instruction and multisensory learning enables dyslexic learners to bypass some of the challenges they face when processing written language.
The Flexibility of Orton-Gillingham:
One of the key strengths of the Orton-Gillingham method is its flexibility. Lessons are tailored to the individual needs of each student, allowing them to progress at their own pace. This personalized approach ensures that children and adults with dyslexia or other reading challenges can build skills incrementally, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Each lesson is designed to be systematic, starting with foundational skills and building up to more complex language concepts. Whether a child is just beginning their literacy journey or needs additional support to reach grade-level reading and spelling, Orton-Gillingham provides a clear, structured path for success.
Why Parents and Educators Trust Orton-Gillingham:
Parents and educators highly value Orton-Gillingham because it is a systematic, research-backed approach that provides clear strategies for addressing reading and spelling difficulties. It offers a structured path that is both manageable and effective, ensuring students can make tangible progress. Additionally, because it’s tailored to the individual needs of each learner, Orton-Gillingham fosters confidence and motivation. Students who may have once struggled with reading can now experience success, building the foundational skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey.
Moreover, Orton-Gillingham is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is highly adaptable and can be implemented in a variety of settings—whether in one-on-one tutoring sessions, small group lessons, or classroom environments. Its versatility makes it a go-to method for both private tutors and classroom teachers working with children who have dyslexia or other language-related challenges.
Conclusion: Empowering Lifelong Learners
Whether your child is just starting to learn to read or needs extra support to overcome reading difficulties, Orton-Gillingham is a trusted and proven method that can make a significant difference. Its multisensory, structured approach provides students with the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to become strong, fluent readers and writers. Backed by decades of research and success, Orton-Gillingham continues to be an invaluable tool for educators and parents seeking to help children struggling with dyslexia and other reading challenges. With Orton-Gillingham, students not only learn to read and write—they gain the foundational skills that will support their academic growth and success for years to come.