Orton-Gillingham Approach: A Clear Guide for Families and Educators
Discover how the Orton-Gillingham approach uses structured, explicit, and multisensory instruction to help students with dyslexia build confident reading and spelling skills.
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach is an evidence-based method designed for students who need direct, systematic support in reading and spelling. It is especially valuable for learners with dyslexia.
Instead of expecting students to guess patterns from context, OG teaches language structure clearly and sequentially. Each lesson builds on prior skills, with frequent review and individualized pacing.
What Is Orton-Gillingham?
OG is a structured literacy approach that combines explicit phonics instruction with multisensory practice. The goal is to make reading and spelling predictable, teachable, and durable for struggling readers.
Structured and Sequential
Skills are taught in a clear order, from simpler patterns to more complex language concepts.
Explicit Phonics
Rules and patterns are explained directly so students understand exactly how words work.
Multisensory Learning
Students see, say, hear, and write to build stronger memory pathways.
Individualized Pacing
Instruction adapts to student performance so mastery comes before acceleration.
Brief History of Orton-Gillingham
- 1920s: Neurologist Dr. Samuel T. Orton began pioneering work on reading difficulties.
- 1930s: Educator and psychologist Anna Gillingham helped develop the first multisensory literacy manuals.
- 1950s onward: OG became a foundation for many modern dyslexia-focused reading programs.
Key Teaching Principles
1. Multisensory Instruction
Engages visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile channels at once to reinforce learning.
2. Structured and Sequential
Concepts follow a logical sequence with regular review to improve retention.
3. Explicit Teaching
Language rules are taught directly. Nothing is implied or left to chance.
4. Diagnostic and Individualized
Instruction adjusts continuously to learner performance and mastery.
A Typical Orton-Gillingham Lesson
Modern Uses of Orton-Gillingham
Schools
Used in intervention blocks, RTI settings, and increasingly in classroom-aligned structured literacy models.
Online Tutoring
Delivered remotely through live instruction plus digital practice for consistent reinforcement.
OG-Based Programs
Many structured literacy programs, including Wilson, Barton, and SPIRE, are influenced by OG principles.
Why Orton-Gillingham Still Matters
OG remains one of the most trusted approaches for dyslexia support because it gives students a structured path to mastery instead of guessing. It is practical, adaptable, and built for real learner differences.
To go deeper, explore how the dyslexic brain reads and the 3 pillars of reading success.