The Orton-Gillingham approach is probably the most effective—and definitely the most proven—language-based method for teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities to read and write.

It has been used with great success at Fraser Academy since our inception in 1982. All our tutors are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, which can be defined as:

• Multisensory. All teaching sessions are action-oriented, with visual, auditory and kinesthetic elements reinforcing each other for optimal learning.
• Structured. Teachers introduce elements of language systematically, beginning with teaching the sounds that letters make.
• Sequential. Letters make sounds, sounds make words and syllables, words make sentences, and sentences make paragraphs. Paragraphs make stories and reports.
• Cumulative. The approach starts with single phonemes and progresses to multi-syllable words and the study of Greek and Latin roots and affixes. Students see and write each letter as they say and hear each sound. As students learn new material, they continue to review old material.
• Flexible. Always our teachers and tutors seek to understand how students learn. Employing Orton-Gillingham’s diagnostic and prescriptive approach, they useteaching strategies that ensure that students both recognize a pattern and understand the reasoning behind it.
• Emotionally Sound. Orton-Gillingham is positive: in every lesson, students experience a high degree of success and gain confidence as well as skills. Learning becomes a rewarding and happy experience.