Orton-Gillingham Approach

Orton-Gillingham (tab)

Orton-Gillingham Approach

Orton-Gillingham is a multisensory approach to teaching reading to children with language-based learning difficulties such as dyslexia. It was developed in the 1930s by researchers at Columbia University. Anna Gillingham was an educator and psychologist who worked with Dr. Samuel Orton, a neuropsychiatrist at Columbia University. Gillingham wrote the manual which set out the results of their research, Remedial Training for Children with Specific Disability in Reading, Spelling and Penmanship.

The O-G method works by teaching a concept in a variety of ways simultaneously. For example, one could teach a student what the letter H looks like, while simultaneously showing the student how to write it and sound it out. Instant feedback from the teacher, combined with repetition by the student, allows the child to capture or memorize the information in several ways. The information being taught utilizes several modalities in the brain allowing more pathways for learning to occur. Simply put, there are multiple ways of learning to read using a multisensory approach. True Orton-Gillingham methodology requires one-on-one work or small group instruction (no more than 3) with students via qualified Practitioners and Therapists.*