At Learnability, we know the struggle of kids with dyslexia and other learning differences. If your child finds reading, writing, or spelling a challenge, you might be looking for something to help them. This is where the Orton-Gillingham Approach steps in. The scientifically proven method is revolutionizing the way kids learn, proving structured, individual, and highly successful ways to unleash potential in every student.
What Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
Orton-Gillingham is a specific method of teaching designed for children with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. It was developed in the 1930s by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator Anna Gillingham. Unlike the traditional reading program, this is an individualized method regarding the approach to the learner and employs a multisensory way of grasping complex language concepts.
It has been designed to be highly multisensory so that the senses are engaged simultaneously, increasing the efficacy of information processing. Through seeing, hearing, or acting out the language, students can acquire and retain knowledge in several different ways.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach: How It Works
The Orton-Gillingham approach is greatly focused on one-on-one instruction, understanding that each and every child has a different learning style. Multi-sensory reading programs make much of using sight, sound, and touch as tools to break words down, see patterns, and increase the flow while reading. This method will be quite helpful for those students who have had difficulty with traditional teaching in phonics and can act as an invigorating change of pace.
Key Characteristics of the Orton-Gillingham Method
- Individualized instruction: Every lesson is tailor-made to fit the unique needs of a student. This form of instruction ensures that every learner is taught at his or her own pace; lessons become more complicated as the learner progresses.
- Sequential Learning: The instruction begins with the basics and builds up to more complicated concepts, such as recognizing and differentiating tricky letter pairs like “b, d,” “q, p,” and “m, w.”
- Multisensory Techniques: Students see, say, and physically manipulate letters and sounds, activating multiple senses. For example, when a student uses sandpaper letters to trace the shape of a letter, the student is able to feel the shape of the letter in addition to seeing it.
- Explicit Phonics Instruction: Orton-Gillingham phonics instruction breaks language into its parts, which is manageable and helps students read words more easily.
Why Choose Orton-Gillingham Instruction for Your Child?
One of the hallmarks of Orton-Gillingham instruction is its success in teaching children who have dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. If your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, or simply has a hard time reading, writing, or spelling, this approach will help your child rise above those difficulties with such structured, supportive instruction.
The flexibility of the Orton-Gillingham reading program to your student is its strength. As the child learns, the program changes to topics that are more difficult and ideas that are more complex, so that the child is built on a strong foundation of literacy. This assures that even students who have hitherto experienced difficulties can catch up and develop the right skills for confident reading.
Orton-Gillingham Reading Program: A Structured Path to Literacy
One of the greatest problems in dyslexic children is the confusion between such similar-looking letters as “y, g” or “m, w.” The Orton-Gillingham reading program addresses this issue with multisensory phonics strategies that allow a student to differentiate between letters, sounds, and words.
The Reading Program Is Designed to Be:
- Explicit: Every sound, letter, and rule is explained in detail, leaving no room for confusion.
- Systematic: The lessons are arranged in a logical order, moving from simple to complex concepts.
- Cumulative: As your child masters each new skill, it is practiced and expanded in future lessons.
This systematic approach does not only benefit a child with dyslexia but also helps in developing the skills and tools of a student experiencing reading or spelling difficulty so they can be successful in the long run.
Multisensory Reading Program Benefits
Multisensory reading programs such as Orton-Gillingham prove to be very effective, as they include all possible parts of the brain and involve visualizing and verbalizing, auditory, and tactile techniques through which children learn in various ways. For example:
- Visual Learners can view the letters and words as well, reinforcing spelling and recognition.
- Auditory Learners can hear the sounds, making them have an understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds.
- Kinesthetic Learners will practice hands-on activities, like writing letters in the sand or forming the letters with their hands, which reinforces learning.
Such an approach will make learning how to read an enjoyable and interesting experience for students, whatever their preferred learning style.
Who Does the Orton-Gillingham Approach Work For?
Even though the Orton-Gillingham approach is highly regarded in its effectiveness with children who suffer from dyslexia, it can be used for a wide range of learners. Some of the groups that are helped are:
- Children with dyslexia: It is a highly structured, multisensory treatment that addresses the specific needs of children who face this problem. This can help them to overcome challenges encountered in reading and acquire strong literacy skills.
- Students with other learning disabilities: Whether the cause of the student’s struggles is ADHD, dysgraphia, or processing disorders, the individualized and multisensory nature of the Orton-Gillingham approach can help.
- Struggling students in Phonics: This approach will be helpful even for students who have not been identified as being weak in learning and especially those who find conventional methods of teaching phonics difficult to understand, but if it doesn’t Special needs tutor might help them.
The Orton-Gillingham Curriculum: Building Lifelong Readers
At Learnability, we have developed a highly structured Orton-Gillingham curriculum that provides solid reading and writing potential for every student of any age and ability. Whether your child is just setting off on their literacy journey or has arrived at a bump in the road, our curriculum takes a one-step-at-a-time approach toward success. We focus on the basics and take them through increasingly complex materials so as to see to it that our students have established a firm foundation in reading, writing, and spelling.
Learnability in Action
At Learnability, we individualize learning to the individual needs of a student through the Orton-Gillingham method. Our experienced instructors work one-on-one with students to ensure they get the attention and support needed to thrive. We believe that every child can learn and succeed if given the right tools and approach.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation and discover how the Talkies Program can transform your child future.