As Orton-Gillingham tutors, we use an individualized approach that helps students catch up to their peers and build confidence with reading and writing.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, our tutors carefully tailor each session to fit each student’s needs, current skills, personality and interests, and we don’t move on until skills are mastered.
What is Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham is the gold standard for teaching phonics and spelling to struggling readers and those with dyslexia. Orton-Gillingham is rooted in the Science of Reading.
Multisensory
Multisensory teaching links the visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) and kinesthetic (feeling) pathways in the brain thus solidifying new knowledge.
Direct and Explicit
Students are taught sounds and skills explicitly instead of forced to figure concepts out on their own or guess.
Language Based
The English language is complicated. Orton-Gillingham teaching helps students learn the rules of the language so decoding and spelling becomes more predictable – thus improving their confidence.
Structured, Sequential, and Cumulative
Skills and concepts are taught in an order that makes sense to the student. We do not require students to read texts that include concepts they have not yet learned. With younger students, we use decodable texts which include only sounds students have been taught explicitly. We move at the student’s pace. Each session is also cumulative and includes a review of sounds and concepts previously taught. Each session builds on the last.
Cognitive
Our tutors give students activities that require them to be word detectives. Students learn to pull apart words into meaningful pieces of information. Students develop the ability to help themselves instead of always relying on a teacher or other adult for assistance. They become independent readers.
Flexible and Emotionally Sound
Each learner has individual needs. We work at the student’s pace with their interests and emotional state in mind. Some students have severe reading anxiety or motivation issues. It’s important to consider that motivation and emotional states play a large part in learning how to read. For students who are already behind, reading can be extremely stressful. Our tutors break down reading into small parts that are easily manageable so that students are set up for success.
Beyond using an Orton-Gillingham approach, our tutors use a combination of leveled reading practice, word activities, spelling drills, writing exercises, vocabulary work, and games to target each student’s needs and interests.
In addition to spelling and decoding activities, students will also work on various combinations of the following skills, based on their specific needs:
Comprehension
Handwriting
Writing
Fluency
Phonemic awareness
Vocabulary
Orton-Gillingham FAQ
Still have questions about OG? Below you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most often from parents, educators, and even adult learners.
What is the Orton-Gillingham approach?
The Orton-Gillingham approach is a structured, language-based method of teaching reading, writing, and spelling. It was developed in the 1930s by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator Anna Gillingham. Rather than being a single program or curriculum, OG is a teaching framework built on a set of core principles that an instructor adapts to each student’s needs.
It is widely considered the foundation of most evidence-based dyslexia interventions used today.
Who is it designed for?
OG was originally developed for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. However, it can benefit a wide range of learners, including:
– Children (and adults) with dyslexia
– Struggling readers who haven’t responded to traditional instruction
– English language learners building foundational literacy
– Students with ADHD, auditory processing issues, or executive function challenges that affect reading
– Anyone who benefits from explicit, systematic instruction
While OG was designed for learners who struggle, its principles are sound for any beginning reader. All of the tutors at The Reading Guru use the Orton-Gillingham approach in their tutoring.
What are the core principles of Orton-Gillingham?
OG instruction is typically described as:
– Structured and sequential — Skills are introduced in a logical order, from simplest to most complex, with each new concept building on what came before.
– Multisensory — Lessons engage visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways simultaneously. A student might see a letter, say its sound, trace it, and write it.
– Explicit — Nothing is left to be inferred. Each rule and pattern is taught directly.
– Diagnostic and prescriptive — The instructor continuously assesses the student and adjusts pacing and content based on what they observe.
– Cumulative — Each lesson reviews previously taught material before introducing anything new.
– Cognitive — Students learn the “why” behind English spelling patterns and language rules.
How is it different from regular phonics instruction?
While both teach letter-sound relationships, Orton-Gillingham goes further. Standard phonics programs typically follow a fixed scope and sequence for a whole class. OG is individualized, multisensory, and diagnostic — the instructor adjusts in real time based on the learner’s response. OG also explicitly teaches the structure of English at every level: phonemes, morphemes, syllable types, spelling rules, and word origins.
In short: phonics is part of the Orton-Gillingham approach, but OG is much more than phonics.
Is the Orton-Gillingham approach evidence-based?
The principles underlying OG — explicit, systematic, multisensory, phonics-based instruction — are strongly supported by decades of research, including findings from the National Reading Panel. Research has also been conducted on specific OG-based programs (such as Wilson Reading System, Barton, and Take Flight).
At what age can a child be taught using the Orton-Gillingham approach?
Most children begin Orton-Gillingham instruction between ages 5 and 7, when foundational reading skills are typically being developed. That said, OG can be effective at any age. It’s never too late — many adults make significant progress in reading and spelling through OG-based tutoring.
For very young children (preschool age), OG-informed instruction may focus on phonological awareness, letter recognition, and pre-reading skills.
How long does Orton-Gillingham take to work?
This varies significantly by student. As a general guideline:
– Many students need **at least six months** of consistent instruction to make substantial gains.
– Severe dyslexia may require longer-term support, more than one year.
– Most experts recommend two or more sessions per week for meaningful progress.
– Sessions typically run 30–60 minutes.
Progress is gradual but durable. Because OG teaches the underlying structure of language, the skills tend to stick.
Does it have to be one-on-one?
Traditional OG is delivered in a one-on-one setting because it relies on the instructor adapting to each student in real time. This work can be in-person or online, and The Reading Guru offers both.
Can I teach Orton-Gillingham to my child at home?
Parents can support OG learning at home, and many do. However, becoming a fully trained, certified OG practitioner requires substantial coursework and several hundred hours of supervised teaching through an accredited training program (such as those accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators).
If your child is struggling significantly, working with a certified or highly-trained practitioner is generally much more effective than going it alone.
What credentials should my OG tutor have?
The best tutors are trained through programs accredited by the the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), such as the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). Becoming a fully trained, certified OG practitioner requires substantial coursework and several hundred hours of supervised teaching through the programs mentioned above.
Knowing which tutors have the highest level of expertise is complicated, but if you work with The Reading Guru, you can feel confident your child will be working with a tutor who has deep OG tutoring experience.
We hire tutors based on their certifications, but also how much experience they have, their OG skill level, their personality and ability to connect with students on an emotional level. We hire only a small percentage of OG-trained applicants.
Take a look at our post How to Pick the Right Online Reading Tutor to learn more.
Will my child's school provide Orton-Gillingham?
Some public schools offer OG-based instruction, particularly through special education services or reading intervention programs. Many do not, however, or may use programs that are only partially aligned with OG principles. If your child has dyslexia or a documented reading disability, you can request structured literacy instruction as part of an IEP or 504 plan, though availability varies widely by district and state. Many parents find that the services provided by their school districts are not enough, and turn to private Orton-Gillingham reading tutoring.
What does a typical OG session look like?
A standard OG lesson at The Reading Guru often includes these components:
- Card drill— Quick review of previously taught letters and sounds
- Phonemic awareness — Sound manipulation exercises (blending, segmenting)
- Reading practice — Decoding individual words to practice previously-taught concepts
- Spelling and dictation— Writing words and sentences using current and previously taught concepts
- Introduction of new concept — Explicit teaching of a new letter, pattern, or rule
- Game or activity to practice new concept — bingo, word sorts, etc.
- Handwriting practice — Often integrated throughout
- Reading for comprehension and fluency — With decodable or carefully selected text
Lessons are fast-paced, interactive, and physically engaging. Students are writing, manipulating materials, and moving from task to task to stay engaged.
Is online Orton-Gillingham tutoring as effective as in-person?
Yes! Online dyslexia tutoring is highly effective when delivered by a skilled specialist. At The Reading Guru, our online OG tutors only teach online, and our in person tutors only teach in person. This allows for tutors who are not only skilled in teaching the OG method, but who have almost mastered the use of digital materials in order to engage students from afar. They use interactive digital tools that replicate the multisensory experience—allowing students to manipulate letter tiles, trace sounds, and engage visually on screen. For many families, online tutoring is actually better because it allows you to access the highest-quality specialist regardless of where you live. When we hire remote OG specialists, we do a national search for the best of the best. If you want more info, take a look at our post How to Pick the Right Online Reading Tutor.
How do I get started?
The Reading Guru offers 1:1 online Orton-Gillingham tutoring, and in-person OG tutoring in NYC, Denver & Austin. Our tutors are carefully selected from hundreds of applicants, and we only take the best of the best.
If you suspect your child (or you) might benefit from OG instruction, please contact us to set up a free 15-minute consultation!
It’s never too late. Even adults can benefit from Orton-Gillingham-based instruction.