Of all the reading programs designed to help struggling readers by connecting letters and sounds, Orton-Gillingham Approach was the first. Today, several decades later, many special education reading programs use Orton-Gillingham ideas. As defined by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners, The Orton-Gillingham is an instructional approach intended primarily for persons who have difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling of the sort associated with dyslexia.

Many schools, including The Roig Academy, use this approach in general education and special education reading programs. This highly-structured program breaks reading and spelling down into smaller skills, then builds on these skills over time. Additionally, it includes a multisensory approach to teaching reading. This means that instructors use auditory, visual and kinesthetic strategies that connect language with letters and words. This is considered the most reliable way to teach students with dyslexia.

Here are some benefits of using the Orton-Gillingham Approach for dyslexic students and non- dyslexics.

It is an early detection for students struggling with reading disabilities

Early intervention is highly desirable when it comes to reading disabilities. A school in New Jersey uses Orton-Gillingham approach to implementing dyslexia screening in their second-grade classrooms. They found that testing in the second grade was key to getting a jump on early intervention, beyond their state-mandated testing.

Dawn Galbraith-Mazzola, the Response to Intervention coordinator for schools in New Jersey, says, “We can start interventions two years earlier; that’s pretty amazing to be able to start interventions that much earlier and solve that issue. It’s something that we can close early instead of them coming up into third and fourth grade and then we’re finding that they’re two deviations from the norm”. Further, dyslexia expert, Sally Shaywitz claims dyslexia can be detected as early as Kindergarten.

It focuses on the needs of the individual student

While students with dyslexia share similarities, there are differences in their language needs. Because everyone learns differently, The Orton-Gillingham Approach is always concerned with the individual needs of students. Schools that use this approach make it easy for students to learn their strengths at their own pace. Consequently, this approach works for readers of all ages and abilities.

It is sequential

The Orton-Gillingham Approach helps students learn to read and spell because it is sequential. Meaning each lesson builds carefully on the previous, so there are no gaps. This helps students transition from simple concepts to more complex ones. Further, since the approach is cumulative, learning is a constant and consistent review of previously taught skills. With the approach being both sequential and cumulative, what a student learns stays learned.    

It is appropriate for everyone

Another benefit of using the Orton-Gillingham Approach for dyslexic students is it appropriate for teaching individuals, small groups, and classrooms. Primary, elementary, secondary, college level, and adults can all benefit from this approach. Though the approach explicitly focuses on persons with dyslexia, the approach can teach anyone how to read, write, and spell!