If you've researched dyslexia support, you've likely come across several structured literacy programs — Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell — and now Barton. So what makes the Barton Reading and Spelling System different, and is it the right fit for your child?
What Is the Barton Reading and Spelling System?
The Barton Reading and Spelling System is a structured literacy program built on Orton-Gillingham principles, specifically designed to teach children, teens, and adults with dyslexia how to read and spell. It uses a highly systematic, multisensory approach — teaching sounds, letter patterns, and spelling rules in a precise sequence, with each new skill building directly on the last.
Unlike general reading instruction, Barton assumes nothing is "obvious" — every rule and pattern is explicitly taught, practiced, and reinforced before moving forward.
How Does the Barton System Work?
Barton is delivered through a series of structured levels, each targeting specific skills:
- Phonemic awareness — the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words, taught before any letters are introduced
- Sound-symbol connections — systematically linking sounds to the letters and letter combinations that represent them
- Spelling rules and syllable patterns — explicit instruction in the rules that govern English spelling, rather than memorization alone
- Multisensory practice — using visual, auditory, and tactile methods together so learning is reinforced through multiple pathways
Students only move to the next level once they've demonstrated mastery of the current one — there's no advancing on a fixed timeline regardless of progress.
Who Is the Barton System For?
Barton was specifically designed for individuals with dyslexia, and it's used successfully with:
- Young children just beginning to show signs of reading difficulty
- Older children and teens who have struggled with reading for years despite other interventions
- Adults with dyslexia who never received the right support as children
Because of its highly explicit, step-by-step structure, Barton is often a strong fit for learners who haven't responded well to less structured or less intensive reading programs.
Barton vs. Orton-Gillingham vs. Wilson: What's the Difference?
All three are structured literacy approaches rooted in the same core principles, but they differ in delivery:
- Orton-Gillingham is a broad instructional approach that many specific programs, including Barton and Wilson, are built on
- Wilson Reading System follows a similarly structured, sequential model with its own specific materials and levels
- Barton is especially known for its highly scripted, precise lesson structure, which some learners and tutors find easier to follow consistently
The right choice often comes down to a child's specific profile and how they respond during an initial assessment, rather than one program being universally "better" than another.
How Long Does the Barton Program Take?
Barton is delivered across 10 levels, and the time needed varies significantly based on the severity of the dyslexia, the student's age, and session frequency. Many students need one to three years of consistent instruction to complete the full sequence, though meaningful reading and spelling improvements are often visible much earlier.
How The Learnability Delivers the Barton System
At The Learnability, our Barton instruction is delivered one-on-one, online, by experienced instructors trained specifically in structured literacy methods. Every program includes:
- Experienced, specialist instructors — trained in Barton and related Orton-Gillingham-based methods, not general tutoring
- An initial assessment — so we confirm Barton is the right fit before beginning, rather than assuming
- Weekly online assessments — ongoing, built-in progress checks rather than a single test at the start and end
- Regular feedback reports — parents receive clear updates on exactly which skills have been mastered and what's being worked on next
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Barton System only for children?
No. Barton is designed to work for children, teens, and adults with dyslexia — the program adjusts in pacing and material, but the structured approach applies across ages.
Does my child need a dyslexia diagnosis to start the Barton program?
Not necessarily. If you have concerns about reading or spelling, we can carry out our own assessment and determine whether Barton or another structured literacy program is the right starting point.
Can Barton be done online?
Yes. At The Learnability, Barton instruction is delivered fully online, one-on-one, with the same multisensory techniques adapted effectively to a virtual format.
How is Barton different from what my child gets in school?
Most schools use general reading instruction that isn't sequenced or intensive enough for a child with dyslexia. Barton is explicit, cumulative, and delivered one-on-one — addressing the underlying difficulty directly rather than working around it.
How much does the Barton program cost?
Pricing depends on session frequency and program length. Contact The Learnability for current rates, or ask about SDP funding if you're exploring ways to help cover costs.
Find Out If Barton Is Right for Your Child
With so many structured literacy options available, the right choice comes down to your child's specific needs — not guesswork. An initial assessment can tell you exactly where to start.
Book your free trial session today, or learn more about our full range of reading intervention programs.