Are you looking for a way to help dyslexic individuals read and write more efficiently? Orton-Gillingham is an evidence-based method that has been proven to be effective in helping individuals with dyslexia. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why the Orton-Gillingham method works so well for people with dyslexia. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the most of this approach.
Introduction to Orton-Gillingham
Orton-Gillingham is a structured literacy approach that was among the first teaching approaches to help struggling readers. It was introduced to explicitly teach the connections between letters and sounds, and break reading and spelling down into smaller skills involving letters and sounds. This approach works with all students, but is especially beneficial for those with dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, speech delays, or other learning difficulties. It is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy. Students hear, see, touch, and make connections between letters and sounds as they learn to read and spell.
What is Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham is a structured literacy approach pioneered by neuropsychiatrist and pathologist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator, psychologist Anna Gillingham in the 1930s. It is designed to help children with reading difficulties due to dyslexia, auditory processing, speech impairments, or other learning disabilities. The approach is direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive. It focuses on phonemes – the individual sounds of language – to help students develop reading skills. The Orton-Gillingham approach has been proven to be highly effective for teaching students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, due to its multisensory nature which combines auditory input with visual and tactile components.
Why is Orton-Gillingham Effective for Dyslexia?
The Orton-Gillingham approach is particularly effective for dyslexia as it is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, and sequential method of teaching literacy. It focuses on phonemes – the individual sounds of a language – which are at the heart of dyslexia. The multisensory component of the approach means instructors use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods to teach literacy. This is highly effective for students with dyslexia as it encourages them to use multiple senses to process information. Research studies have also shown that this approach can lead to improved reading comprehension and fluency in individuals with dyslexia. Furthermore, it provides teachers with the tools to effectively diagnose and prescribe approaches to help dyslexic students learn how to read.
The Components of Orton-Gillingham
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a complex system, involving the integration of multiple components. These components are rooted in Gillingham’s understanding of language structure and her manual includes a systematic and explicit teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and fluency. The approach also emphasizes the use of multisensory techniques such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile elements to help students learn and retain information more easily. In addition to these components, the Orton-Gillingham Approach also includes oral language development activities and comprehension strategies. By using this comprehensive approach to learning, students can gain the skills needed to become successful readers.
The Benefits of the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach offers significant benefits for dyslexic students. Not only does it provide a systematic and structured way of learning, but the multi-sensory approach ensures that all students are able to learn in the way that suits them best. By using visual, auditory and tactile methods, students can make connections more easily between letters and sounds and gain a better understanding of how words are formed. Additionally, Orton-Gillingham encourages students to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to explore and practice concepts on their own. The approach also allows teachers to tailor lessons to each student’s needs, ensuring that each student is receiving instruction that is tailored to their individual learning style. Finally, by providing students with a comprehensive framework for learning, Orton-Gillingham helps dyslexic students build confidence in their reading and writing abilities.
Implementing the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The implementation of the Orton-Gillingham Approach requires specialized training to ensure that dyslexic students are able to make the most of the approach. This includes understanding how to properly assess a student’s literacy skills and determine the most effective strategies for teaching them. Instructors should also be familiar with the multisensory components of the approach, as it is essential for creating an engaging learning experience. In addition, they must be capable of providing individualized instruction and offering feedback that is tailored to each student’s needs. With proper training, instructors can effectively use the Orton-Gillingham Approach to help dyslexic students overcome their literacy struggles and improve their overall reading skills.
Using LTK as an Orton-Gillingham learning tool
LTK is an exceelent Orton-Gillingham learning tool- which is essential to ensure successful implementation of the approach. This program was developed by Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and has helped tens of thousands of students over the years. Furthermore, it can work with a certified provider (teacher) and can provide families very effective learning pathway to success!
Conclusion
The Orton-Gillingham approach has been proven to be a successful intervention for students with dyslexia. It provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to mastering the fundamentals of reading and spelling, while also promoting self-confidence. Through its multisensory approach, structured methodology, and positive reinforcement, students with dyslexia can gain the skills they need to become proficient readers and writers. The OG approach can be implemented in the classroom or through individual instruction. It is important to find an experienced provider who understands the principles of OG and can provide effective instruction for your student. With the right support, students with dyslexia can make great strides in their literacy development.
For more information see these additional resources:
- https://www.readingrockets.org/article/orton-gillingham-what-you-need-know
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/orton-gillingham-what-you-need-to-know