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If your child is having difficulty with reading, you’re not alone—and there is a proven path forward. One of the most trusted and research-backed methods for teaching reading is the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach. Developed over 80 years ago, OG remains a gold standard for helping students with dyslexia and other learning differences become confident, capable readers.
In this guide, we’ll explain what Orton-Gillingham is, how it works, and why it’s an effective reading intervention, especially for children who haven’t thrived with traditional teaching methods.
What Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a personalized, multisensory method for teaching literacy. Developed in the 1930s by neurologist Dr. Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, it was created for learners with dyslexia. Today, it’s widely used to support students of all ages with difficulty developing reading and spelling skills.
Unlike many general classroom models, Orton-Gillingham is an approach that is not a rigid program. That means it’s adaptable, responsive, and guided by a trained instructor who tailors each lesson to the learner’s individual needs.
Core Principles of the Orton-Gillingham Approach
What sets OG apart is how deeply it considers how the brain learns to read, especially for students with learning differences. Its strength lies in four key principles.
1. Multisensory Instruction
OG lessons engage multiple senses at once: visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), kinesthetic (moving), and tactile (touching). This helps reinforce learning through different brain pathways.
Some examples of multisensory activities include:
- Tracing letters in sand or shaving cream while saying the sound aloud
- Using finger tapping to break down syllables or sounds in a word
- Building words with letter tiles while spelling them out loud
- Writing on textured surfaces to strengthen muscle memory
These techniques give students more than one way to process and retain information, making reading more accessible and less overwhelming.
2. Structured and Sequential
Orton-Gillingham instruction follows a clear, cumulative sequence. Students begin with simple sound-symbol relationships and gradually move to more complex patterns. Each step builds on the last, ensuring that foundational skills are solid before advancing.
3. Diagnostic and Prescriptive
Lessons are constantly informed by observation and informal assessments. If a student has difficulty with a concept, the instructor adjusts the lesson to reinforce and reteach as needed, no moving forward until they’re truly ready.
4. Explicit Instruction
Everything is taught directly and intentionally. Students are never expected to infer or guess reading rules; each concept is clearly explained and practiced until it becomes second nature.
Why the Orton-Gillingham Approach Works
Reading can feel like a puzzle when the pieces don’t quite fit. For students experiencing reading difficulties, traditional methods often leave them feeling stuck, confused, or left behind. The Orton-Gillingham Approach changes that by meeting learners where they are and giving them the tools to move forward.
- Breaks the Guessing Cycle: Many learners who have difficulty reading begin to rely on guessing based on pictures or context clues. The OG Approach teaches them to decode words using phonics, syllable types, and spelling rules, replacing guesswork with reliable strategies.
- Builds Confidence: Progress is powerful. As students begin to understand and apply reading skills, their confidence grows. For many, OG is the first time reading feels possible, clear, and empowering. That emotional shift often extends beyond academics.
- Supports Long-Term Mastery: Because OG is cumulative and intentional, students don’t just memorize; they internalize. Each lesson reinforces earlier concepts, helping learners retain and apply skills even as reading demands increase. This leads to stronger fluency, comprehension, and spelling over time.
Is Orton-Gillingham Right for Your Child?
If your child has been frustrated with reading, the Orton-Gillingham Approach may be exactly what they need to build confidence, clarity, and long-term literacy skills. At The Learning Lab, we specialize in evidence-based instruction that supports how your child learns best.
Every learner deserves to feel successful. If you’re curious about how OG could help your child thrive, we’d love to connect.
Reach out to our team to learn more or schedule a consultation.
