In the realm of education, few methodologies have had as profound an impact on teaching students with dyslexia as the Orton-Gillingham approach. Named after Dr. Samuel Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist, this instructional strategy has become a cornerstone for addressing the unique learning needs of individuals with dyslexia. But what exactly is Orton-Gillingham, and why is it so effective?
The Origins of Orton-Gillingham
Dr. Samuel Orton, in the early 20th century, was a pioneer in identifying and understanding dyslexia. He recognized that dyslexia was a specific language-based learning disability and saw the need for a structured approach to teaching reading and writing to dyslexic students. Anna Gillingham, with her expertise in education and psychology, collaborated with Dr. Orton to develop a comprehensive instructional method. This collaboration resulted in the Orton-Gillingham approach, which was designed to be flexible, responsive, and tailored to each learner’s needs.
Key Principles of the Orton-Gillingham Approach
1. Multisensory Instruction: Orton-Gillingham employs a multisensory approach, engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously. This means students see, hear, and touch or manipulate materials as they learn. For example, when learning a new letter or sound, a student might trace the letter in sand while saying the sound out loud and looking at the letter .
2. Structured and Sequential: The approach is highly structured, progressing from simple to complex concepts in a logical sequence. This ensures that foundational skills are solid before moving on to more advanced topics. Instruction is explicit, direct, and systematic, with careful scaffolding to support student learning .
3. Individualized: Orton-Gillingham is tailored to the individual learner. Teachers assess each student’s needs and progress, adapting lessons to ensure optimal learning. This personalized approach allows for adjustments in pace, intensity, and instructional strategies to meet each student’s unique profile .
4. Diagnostic and Prescriptive: Continuous assessment is a cornerstone of the Orton-Gillingham approach. Teachers regularly evaluate students’ progress and adjust instruction accordingly. This diagnostic-prescriptive cycle ensures that instruction is responsive and effective .
5. Direct and Explicit Instruction: Concepts are taught explicitly and directly. There is no assumption that students will infer or pick up skills incidentally. Each lesson is designed to be clear and focused on specific learning objectives .
Why Orton-Gillingham Works
The success of the Orton-Gillingham approach lies in its structured, multisensory, and individualized nature. Dyslexic learners often struggle with traditional teaching methods that rely heavily on auditory and visual learning. By engaging multiple senses, Orton-Gillingham helps to reinforce learning and create neural pathways that support reading and writing skills .
Moreover, the explicit and systematic instruction ensures that no gaps are left in a student’s understanding. Each new concept builds on previous knowledge, providing a strong foundation for continued learning. The flexibility to adapt to each learner’s needs means that students receive the targeted support necessary to overcome their specific challenges .
The Broader Impact
While originally designed for dyslexic learners, the Orton-Gillingham approach has proven beneficial for a wide range of students, including those with other language-based learning differences and struggling readers. Its principles of structured, multisensory, and individualized instruction are widely applicable and have influenced many other reading programs and instructional strategies .
Conclusion
The Orton-Gillingham approach remains a vital tool in the educational landscape, offering hope and tangible results for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Its success lies in its thoughtful design, which respects the unique needs of each learner and provides the structured, multi-sensory, and personalized instruction necessary for them to thrive. As educators we continue to seek effective methods for teaching reading and writing, the principles of Orton-Gillingham will undoubtedly remain at the forefront, guiding students towards literacy and academic success.
References
1. DyslexiaHelp. (n.d.). Orton-Gillingham Approach. Retrieved from DyslexiaHelp
2. Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. (n.d.). About OG Approach. Retrieved from Orton-Gillingham Academy
3. Understood Team. (n.d.). Orton-Gillingham: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from Understood.org
4. International Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). Effective Reading Instruction: The Orton-Gillingham Approach. Retrieved from DyslexiaIDA
5. Reading Rockets. (n.d.). The Orton-Gillingham Approach. Retrieved from Reading Rockets
6. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. (n.d.). Orton-Gillingham Based Approaches. Retrieved from Yale Dyslexia
7. The Dyslexia Resource. (n.d.). The Orton-Gillingham Approach Explained. Retrieved from The Dyslexia Resource
8. Orton-Gillingham Online Academy. (n.d.). Orton-Gillingham Training. Retrieved from Orton-Gillingham Online Academy
9. The Reading League. (n.d.). The Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham. Retrieved from The Reading League
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