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What Is the Orton–Gillingham Approach?

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Summary

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The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a teaching method for people who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing, often those with dyslexia. It’s a hands-on method that uses a structured and repetitive approach to help students learn letters, sounds, and words to become confident and successful readers.

Frequently Asked Question

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Who can benefit from the Orton-Gillingham Approach?

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is typically used with individuals who have difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing, especially those with dyslexia. However, it can also be helpful for people with other learning differences, such as ADHD, or for anyone who is struggling with reading and writing.

Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach evidence-based?

Yes, the Orton-Gillingham Approach has a long history of successful results and has been extensively researched. There is a wealth of evidence supporting its effectiveness for individuals with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Can anyone be trained to use the Orton-Gillingham Approach?

Yes, anyone can be trained to use the Orton-Gillingham Approach. There are certification programs available for teachers, tutors, and other educators to become trained in the method. The training typically includes a comprehensive study of the approach and practical experience working with students.

Scientific Definition

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The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a way of teaching reading that was created to help people who have difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing. It is often used for people with dyslexia, a learning difference affecting reading. The approach uses a step-by-step method to teach letters, sounds, and words. It’s designed to be hands-on, with the teacher and student working together to learn the material. The approach is structured, meaning that it follows a set plan and is repetitive, so students can practice what they’ve learned many times. The goal of Orton-Gillingham is to help students understand how words work and become confident and successful readers. This approach has been around for a long time and has helped many people with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

Real World Example of the Orton-Gillingham Approach

When working with a child like Billy who has dyslexia, the Orton-Gillingham Approach can be highly effective. Here’s how you can use it:

Step Description
Assess Start by evaluating Billy’s current reading and writing abilities to identify his specific areas of need.
Letters and Sounds Introduce Billy to individual letter sounds and teach him how they combine to form words.
Hands-On Practice Engage Billy in interactive activities and games to reinforce his learning. For instance, letter blocks or magnetic letters can be used for word-building exercises.
Reading and Writing Exercises Provide targeted exercises that focus on improving Billy’s reading and writing skills. This may involve word-building exercises, reading short stories, and writing sentences.
Repetition Remember, the Orton-Gillingham Approach thrives on repetition. Ensure that you review the material with Billy multiple times until he grasps the concepts thoroughly.
Progress Monitoring Regularly assess Billy’s progress to gauge his improvements and make necessary adjustments to the instruction.
Reinforcement Encourage Billy to read and write independently and incorporate the concepts into everyday activities to reinforce his learning.

By following these steps, tailored instruction, and consistent practice, you can empower children to become more confident and successful readers and writers.

How Does the Orton-Gillingham Approach Work?

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is widely used in different settings, such as:

  1. One-on-one tutoring: Teachers and tutors work closely with students, focusing on improving their reading, spelling, and writing skills.
  2. Classroom instruction: Many teachers incorporate the Orton-Gillingham Approach into their reading instruction to benefit all students.
  3. Homeschooling: Parents who homeschool can integrate the Orton-Gillingham Approach into their curriculum to enhance their children’s reading abilities.
  4. Special education programs: Schools and programs catering to students with learning differences often adopt the Orton-Gillingham Approach to support their curriculum.
  5. Reading centers: Some reading centers employ the Orton-Gillingham Approach as a method to assist students facing reading difficulties.
  6. Online programs: Numerous online programs utilize the Orton-Gillingham Approach to provide instruction for struggling readers.
  7. Speech therapy: Speech therapists incorporate the Orton-Gillingham Approach into their therapy sessions for patients with language and speech difficulties.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach can be adapted to various educational environments, offering effective strategies to improve reading skills.

 

This post was originally published on Feb. 11, 2023. It was updated on Jan. 3, 2024.