Dyslexia & the Orton-Gillingham Approach
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a struggle to see and hear language patterns. It is an unexpected difficulty in learning to read in an individual who has the potential to be a much better reader and writer. The reading circuit in the dyslexic brain is organized differently. Below is a video that demonstrates a child-friendly way to explain how the dyslexic brain works.
It is difficult to navigate the world of dyslexia, so it is essential to find someone who is experienced to assist with this complex language and learning disability. Click here to learn more about the signs and the symptoms of dyslexia.
What is the Orton-Gillingham approach?
Orton-Gillingham is a powerful approach to teaching reading and spelling that engages multiple pathways in the brain to help students learn with success. OG Instruction is explicit, multisensory, sequential, structured, cumulative, individualized, and phonics-based. It is considered the gold standard of instruction for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities because it is a highly individualized approach that demystifies the English language by explicitly explaining the how and why.
What does it mean to be "OG trained"?
When choosing an Orton-Gillingham tutor, be sure that the tutor you choose has proper certification. There are organizations that provide different types of OG training. If you are a member of the prestigious Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), then that means that you have taken coursework, completed a practicum, and been granted certification by the OGA. You cannot be certified through the OGA without completing a practicum. Kim Nau is an OGA Fellow, which is the highest level that can be attained. Here are the levels of certification tutors can receive with the OGA:
1. Classroom Educator Level - Skilled to apply OG principles into a classroom setting
2. Associate Level - Skilled to work with beginner students in a 1:1 or small group setting (under the mentorship of an OGA Fellow)
3. Certified Level - Skilled to work independently with students who have more complex learning profiles
4. Fellow - Skilled to train other teachers in the OG approach (takes a minimum of 6 years of training)
To learn more about training, visit www.ortonacademy.org.
