If you have a young reader or are new to navigating reading interventions for struggling readers, you may not be familiar with the Orton-Gillingham approach. I love it for the results it delivers, but you may be looking for more specific information! 

In short, the Orton-Gillingham (OG) reading program is a multisensory approach to teach reading, writing, and spelling to individuals with dyslexia and other language-based learning difficulties. It was developed in the early 20th century by neuropsychiatrist Samuel T. Orton and educator Anna Gillingham.

Research Based & The Science of Reading

The OG approach is research based. It is centered on the principles of the science of language, including:

Phonology- the study of sounds in language

Phonetics- the study of how sounds are produced

Morphology- the study of word structure 

It focuses on teaching students to make connections between sounds and letters in a systematic and structured manner, using all of their senses – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic – to help them learn and remember.

Individualized Instruction

One of the key benefits of the OG program is that it is highly individualized. Lessons are tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each student. It can be used with students of all ages, from young children to adults. OG has been found to be effective for individuals with a wide range of learning difficulties, not just dyslexia.

The OG approach is also very structured and sequential, which helps students build a strong foundation of reading and writing skills that they can generalize to use when reading on their own, not just when working one-on-one with a teacher.

That structure + flexibility might be my favorite part. I value individualizing education for each student SO MUCH, and I am able to do that with OG!

I am happy to answer specific questions about the program to see if OG is a match. If not, creating a program of study that is just right for your child is what Mindful Readers is all about!