The 60-Hour Training

Orton-Gillingham is a highly structured approach used to teach reading, spelling, and writing to all students, specifically those with dyslexia.

Developed by Dr. Samuel Orton, Anna Gillingham, and Bessy Stillman, the core focus of this proven approach is to teach reading and spelling in a logical, systemic, multisensory, and sequential way that meets the unique needs of the individual learner.

By using the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic centers of the brain, Orton-Gillingham aims to ‘rewire’ the neurological connections in the language centers of the dyslexic brain. For more information on the approach and how it can help students (especially those with dyslexia or other language-based learning difficulties) click here.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach helps students with dyslexia to better recognize and organize all the elements of language. The individual focus also gives learners the extra attention they may need, leading to increased linguistic competence and confidence.

Multisensory teaching concepts help to connect different areas of the brain that may need additional stimulation in order to process language. By using visual, kinesthetic, and auditory teaching techniques, a student with dyslexia can see, write, and listen to the way a letter or word sounds, helping them to better learn and recall when reading, writing, and spelling. This approach, which focuses on all the senses, can show students how to decode patterns in words on their own, all things which contribute to being successful in literacy.

All students can benefit from the Orton-Gillingham Approach; individuals with dyslexia or other language-based learning difficulties need it and may not learn to read without it.

This cognitive and emotionally sound approach with decades of successful history helps students better connect with language and words for an improved learning experience.

The science of reading is complex, which is why Orton-Gillingham focuses on structured and multisensory teachings that help students make better connections to the structures of the language. It’s the structured, simultaneous integration of the senses that rewires specific areas of the brain that connect print, sound, and meaning that will help every and any student learn to read.

Using the Orton-Gillingham Approach, teachers will feel confident, empowered, and proud that they’re truly making a difference in the lives of many students who may not have learned to read as effectively otherwise.

We offer Orton-Gillingham training, courses, and certification information for becoming a dyslexia therapist or specialist online and in-person for both individuals or teams. Once you complete one of our training courses and meet eligibility requirements, you can apply for certification through the AOGPE.