It is not easy to top see children with reading problems. Some kids are born bright but struggle with comprehension, reading, or vocabulary. Many parents ignore their kids’ lack of interest in reading with the misconception that with time, kids will develop their interest in reading. But sometimes the reading difficulties that seem to be minor or common are a sign of Dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a reading disorder that affects the ability of a person to spell, read, speak, and write. It is a reading disorder that has a lifelong impact and leads to low self-esteem, academic difficulties, depression, and even behavioral problems while in school, etc. However, the presence of various instructional methods and approaches has made it easy for such people to become better readers.
One of the most common and effective instructional approaches that are used worldwide to improve reading and writing skills and handle Dyslexia is Orton-Gillingham Approach. Orton-Gillingham Approach was the first reading program that was specifically designed to help those readers that struggle to connect letters and sounds. It is one of the best reading programs that is used till now and is considered effective to reduce reading and learning disabilities.
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What is Orton-Gillingham’s Approach?
Orton-Gillingham Approach is a teaching approach that helps struggling readers to clearly learn the connections between sounds and letters. Orton-Gillingham’s approach is used worldwide to help students become better readers. It is a structured literacy approach that is still new to many people.
Many people have a misconception about Orton-Gillingham Approach that it is just for students with Dyslexia. But the fact is Orton-Gillingham Approach is for both dyslexic students and those who are non-dyslexics but struggle with reading.
How does Orton–Gillingham Approach Works?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach was created while keeping the reading issues and dyslexia in mind. The use of this approach turns out to be beneficial as it focuses on and develops the intelligence and strengths of the learner rather than rote learning.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is usually done by an Orton-Gillingham tutor or a specialist in the Orton–Gillingham approach. The process of the Orton-Gillingham Approach starts by firstly assessing the student to find out his reading skills and know clearly about his areas of strength as well as weakness.
The approach works by teaching the students in small groups. Some Orton-Gillingham tutors prefer teaching students with those who have similar skill levels. They teach them skills in a particular order. The order used by them for teaching is based on the understanding that how students naturally develop language.
The tutors make sure that the students will master each skill before they will move on. In case any student fails to learn the skills or seems confused, the tutors reteach the skills.
Reasons To Believe In The Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is used for a variety of reasons. In the whole process approach, the tutors use multiple pathways to help students learn. The benefits that students get with Orton-Gillingham Approach encourage the tutors and parents to use it over other approaches. The major reasons to believe in the Orton-Gillingham approach are mentioned below.
One of the major reasons to believe in the Orton-Gillingham approach is the quick detection of reading disabilities. The Orton-Gillingham approach is best at detecting the reading disabilities of the students. This further help the tutors in starting the process early and eliminate the Dyslexia or reading problem quickly.
Confidence:
Orton-Gillingham’s Approach, especially when taught one-on-one, plays a major role in building confidence in students. The approach helps the lowest-performing students achieve success. The better learning of the skills gives them the confidence to give their best and improve their interest in reading.
Multi-Sensory Variations:
Orton-Gillingham’s Approach rewires the brain. The approach includes multi-sensory variations that are also appropriate for teaching small groups, individuals, and classrooms. It breaks down reading into more manageable, and smaller skills that are connected to each other. This further help the students to achieve control of their own timeline.
The amount of overlearning and repetition involved in this approach helps to strengthen efficient neural pathways. Orton-Gillingham’s approach provides students with direct learning by engaging their senses through auditory, kinesthetic, and visual techniques.
Final Thoughts
Orton-Gillingham’s Approach results best for Dyslexia. Hiring a professional Orton-Gillingham tutor at the right time and providing the best training to the students helps to improve the reading issues. The approach also turns out to be best to work generously on students and improve their reading skills.