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The Dyslexia Remedy: Why Orton Gillingham Instruction Works

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The Orton-Gillingham (OG) methodology is effective for students with dyslexia because it was designed by Drs. Sam Orton and Anna Gillingham who were expert  researchers and educators. They developed an instructional reading method to help even the most challenged individual (who is not intellectually disabled or severely autistic) learn to read. People with dyslexia have average range IQ scores but difficulties with phonological processing, reading fluency, spelling, and decoding. OG is specifically designed to target these challenges through a structured, multisensory approach. The Barton Reading and Spelling System is an excellent evidenced based OG based reading program. Click on the link and watch “What is it?” for an easy to understand video. In addition to my school neuropsychology diplomate, I am also a Barton Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist.

Here are 7 key reasons why OG instruction works:

  1. Multisensory Instruction

  • What it means: OG instruction engages multiple senses simultaneously—visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), and kinesthetic-tactile (touching/moving).
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: It strengthens neural pathways by reinforcing learning through different channels, helping students connect sounds to letters more effectively.

  1. Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction

  • What it means: Teachers teach the language rules clearly and in a logical, step-by-step sequence that allows for ample practice of what your child learns in that lesson.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: Dyslexic learners benefit from not having to infer rules—they need to be taught directly and explicitly how language works (e.g., syllable types, spelling patterns). It takes the guess work out of learning.

  1. Structured and Sequential Instruction

  • What it means: Concepts are taught in a deliberate order, building from simple to more complex. Students learn the six most common syllable types.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: They often need more repetition and a clear roadmap for understanding the building blocks of language.

  1. Cumulative and Repetitive Instruction

  • What it means: Each lesson builds on previous material, and key concepts are reviewed frequently until they are mastered.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: Retention and mastery require constant reinforcement, especially when memory for language-based tasks is weak.

  1. Diagnostic and Prescriptive Instruction

  • What it means: Instruction is tailored based on ongoing assessment and observation of student needs. The teacher diagnoses the problem and prescribes the OG treatment.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work. OG allows teachers to adapt pace and content based on student progress.

  1. Language-Based Instruction

  • What it means: Focuses deeply on the structure of English—phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: It demystifies language and gives students tools to decode and spell words logically, rather than relying on memorization.

  1. Builds Self-Esteem

  • What it means: Encourages a positive, success-based learning environment.
  • Why it helps dyslexic students: Many struggle with confidence due to past academic failures. OG helps rebuild self-esteem through achievable, well-supported steps.

The Orton-Gillingham approach is effective for students with dyslexia because it is individualized, multisensory, structured, and grounded in the science of how the brain learns to read. It helps students make meaningful connections and develop lasting reading and spelling skills that last a lifetime.

Contact me if you would like to discuss your dyslexia concerns and your child’s reading performance. (561) 625 4125

Three Ways to Help A Struggling Learner

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Is your child a struggling learner?  Learning struggles cause frustration for parents and kids.  Most kids who struggle with learning do so in reading as approximately 80% of learning disabilities are reading related.  Kids who continuously struggle to learn become turned off to school so being a proactive parent can help prevent future problems.  Here are three ways to help your struggling learner.

Struggling Learner Help Number 1

First, capitalize on your child’s interests to help make learning fun.  If your young child struggles with reading, use his interest in Minecraft to learn sight words.  Make flashcards using a Minecraft type font.  You could create a fun way to memorize sight words by making a flashcards Minecraft concentration game. Or, you and your child can staple paper together and use some sight words to write a story about your son and Minecraft. He can practice reading the story which can motivate him to read.

Struggling Learner Help Number 2

Help your child make the most gain in the shortest time by using specialized reading tutoring.  As a well-intentioned parent you might hire a teacher to work with your daughter but many teachers don’t use a specialized reading program.  Hire a reading specialist that uses the Barton, Wilson, or Lindamood-Bell reading programs.  These are designed to help kids with persistent reading difficulty.  To make improvements use at least twice weekly tutoring.

Struggling Learner Help Number 3

Last, test your child to pinpoint the exact struggle.  My testing helps you understand the root cause of the struggle and know how to best proceed with focus. This can help you know if the struggle is a behavior or neurological issue.  It’s my belief that you don’t want to punish your child for something he or she can’t help.  Many times learning disabilities are hidden disabilities because they occur internally and are only apparent when kids struggle with academic and learning expectations.  Testing gives you understanding about your child.

We test kids age 5 to 25 for dyslexia, ADHD, processing problems, and gifted. Call (561) 625-4125

Three Ways to Help Dyslexics Read

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As a dyslexia testing specialist, I work with a lot of children with dyslexia and many do not enjoy reading because it’s s a challenging and brain tiring workout. Even though they can read, most dyslexics don’t choose to read for fun.  Children with dyslexia often have a cognitive processing disorder in the phonological loop part of their brain.  This disorder interferes with the child’s ability to learn the letter and letter family sounds.  If your child or loved on has suspected or diagnosed dyslexia there are three ways to help dyslexics enjoy reading.

Three Ways to Help Dyslexics Read

First, read high quality literature to your child.  People with dyslexia are smart and can listen and understand at a much higher level than they can independently read and understand.  Therefore, they enjoy being read to.  I recommend you read high quality literature to your child well into the high school years.  This builds your child’s vocabulary and helps instill the idea that great, rich, and interesting content is within books.

Second, use one-to-one highly specialized reading instruction with a certified tutor. This is especially important during your child’s elementary years when it is easier to make and see reading improvements.  Orton-Gillingham based multisensory reading instruction is the gold standard for teaching dyslexics to become proficient readers.

Third, use technology with your child.  Learning Ally is the largest repository of books on audio.  Although it’s a subscription, your child can find all his or her school books on audio so they can listen while reading along.  Another website that uses Orton Gillingham based reading instruction is Nessy.com.  This website helps elementary age children with dyslexia learn how to read.

Do you suspect your child has dyslexia? Call our office today so we can discuss how to help you. (561) 625-4125

Your Dyslexic or ADHD Child: How to Make This a Summer of Great Growth

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Summer is here and most children across the USA are jumping for joy.  If your child is dyslexic, ADHD, ADD, has learning disabilities, or processing problems then they are usually extra exuberant that school is over.  They are anticipating a lengthy break from the academic pressures of formal schooling.  While I agree that kids need time to be kids, I don’t recommend kids take a total hiatus from learning.  Below are 7 ideas that you can apply to help your child or teen. 

7 Ideas for a Summer of Great Growth

Consider using any of these 7 suggestions or programs that have the potential to make this a summer of great growth for your child with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning difficulty.  I recommend you research and use the suggestion that makes the most sense for your child and family.

1.  C8Sciences. 

C8Sciences is a computer and internet based program that helps your child train his or her cognitive abilities in 8 core areas.  It was developed by a team of neuroscientist at Yale University.  www.c8sciences.com.  

2. Neurofeedback.

This is a brain training program that helps individuals learn to self-regulate their brain waves.  If you commit to this use it for 25 sessions or more.  Check www.GorenewingMinds.com to learn more.

3. Cogmed Working Memory Training.

This is a computer and internet based 25 session working memory program that helps individuals build memory capacity which can translate into improved attention, reading comprehension, and academic performance.  My associates and I offer this program. www.cogmed.com.

4. Orton Gillingham (OG) based multisensory reading tutoring. 

If your child has dyslexia this is the time tested gold standard for helping individuals overcome their phonological processing weaknesses.  OG reading programs include the Barton Reading and Spelling System and the Wilson Reading Program.  My dyslexic child was taught with an OG reading program for about 30 months and now enjoys reading. www.Bartonreading.com.

5. Counseling using cognitive behavior therapy. 

Counseling can be effective to help kids experience tremendous personal growth and I recommend you work with a counselor that uses cognitive behavior therapy because it is goal directed counseling.  This means you, your child, and the counselor set goals to achieve during counseling.  This is quite different from psychotherapy where kids explore their feelings. If you are doing counseling, you want to work toward meaningful goals.   

6. Real life money skills. 

Many of today’s teens can often solve algebraic math equations but don’t know how to balance a checkbook or compute a 15% tip without using an app.  Make this summer the summer where you open a bank account for your child and start teaching financial principals of making, saving, and giving money. This is my goal for my children and I’m using resources from Dave Ramesy and his program Foundations in Personal Finance. http://www.daveramsey.com/school/foundations-home-school.  

7. How to think positively. 

Many children with dyslexia and ADHD have an automatic negative outlook and are pessimistic.  Wouldn’t it be great to have a summer of change so your child starts school with a more positive outlook?  Try using these two books.  If you have a younger child look into Dawn Huebner’s book What to do if you grumble too much: A kids guide to overcoming negativity. If you have a teen check out Dr. John C. Maxwell’s book Thinking for a change:11 ways highly successful approach life and work.  Both books are great tools to use to help your child harness the power of positive thinking.

After Selecting the Program-  Now Making the Difference Requires…

If you use the right program for the right length of time and work at it enough during the summer you’ll make this your child’s summer of great growth.  The key elements for success are:

1. Use the right program

2. Use the right program for the right length of time (all summer)

3. Do it 3-5 days per week

4. Work with the right person

5. Incorporate an element of fun into learning

There is hope that this is your child summer of amazing change and results in personal confidence, improved self-image, and positive thinking.  Contact me if you have questions about any of these programs or if you want testing for your child.