What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a proven, research-based method of teaching literacy that is designed to help children and adults develop strong reading, spelling, and writing skills. It is structured, multisensory, and personalized, making it especially effective for students with dyslexia or other reading challenges. By engaging sight, sound, and touch, Orton-Gillingham helps learners build the tools and confidence they need to succeed in literacy. 

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is always focused on the learning needs of the individual student. Orton-Gillingham practitioners design lessons and materials for each student at their level by pacing instruction and the introduction of new materials to their individual strengths and weaknesses. 

Students with dyslexia need to master the same basic knowledge about language and its relationship to our writing system as any who seek to become competent readers and writers. However, because of their dyslexia, they need more help than most people in sorting, recognizing, and organizing the raw materials of language for thinking and use. Language elements that non-dyslexic learners acquire easily must be taught directly and systematically. 

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that affects how the brain processes language, making reading, spelling, and sometimes writing more challenging. It is not a sign of low intelligence or lack of effort—many people with dyslexia are highly creative and capable learners. With the right instruction and support, students with dyslexia can become confident, successful readers and writers.

and here's a kid-friendly definition:

Dyslexia just means that the brain learns to read and spell in a different way. It can make words seem tricky at first, but it doesn’t mean someone isn’t smart. With the right tools and practice, kids with dyslexia can become strong, confident readers. 

An actual diagnosis of dyslexia comes from neurological testing done by a qualified professional (a Neurologist or state-certified psychologist). Certified Orton-Gillingham tutors are able to perform skill assessments which measure a student’s current functioning in the language areas, but they do not test or diagnose for dyslexia. 

Not at all. The Orton-Gillingham approach is beneficial for all learners with learning differences that impact literacy.

Multisensory learning engages the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic/tactile senses simultaneously while learning. Tracing letters in sand while saying their sounds or finger tapping for syllables are two examples of activities that engage multiple senses at the same time.

https://dyslexiaida.org/

https://www.orton-gillingham.com/for-parents/

https://www.dyslexiasc.org/useful-resources