Struggling readers require intervention that is multisensory, explicit, language based, and emotionally sound. The gold standard for effective treatment of dyslexia is the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach.
Characteristics of the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is language-based; multisensory; structured, sequential, cumulative, but flexible; cognitive; direct and explicit, emotionally sound, diagnostic and prescriptive. Its breadth, perspective, and flexibility prompt use of the term approach instead of method. The Orton-Gillingham Approach is not a program since it does not have a set scope and sequence; the needs of the student(s) determine the order in which information is introduced and reviewed. An Orton-Gillingham based program has a set scope and sequence. (Source: Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. )
Orton-Gillingham Approach emphasizes the Importance of establishing visual-auditory- kinesthetic/tactile (VAKT) associations for language sounds and symbols. OG is
Diagnostic and Prescriptive
Individualized
Language-based and Alphabetic/Phonetic
Simultaneous Multisensory
Direct and Explicit
Structured, Sequential, and Cumulative, but Flexible
Synthetic and Analytic
Cognitive
Emotionally Sound