What is the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Method of Reading Instruction?

If you’ve been researching reading help for your child, chances are you’ve come across the term Orton-Gillingham or OG. Parents hear it recommended in IEP meetings, from psychologists, or in conversations about dyslexia, but it is not always clear what it actually means. If you are feeling unsure, you are in good company. Many families start their reading support journey by asking this exact question.

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is one of the most widely respected approaches for teaching kids the phonics patterns, spelling rules, fluency and morphology they need to learn in order to become fluent readers and good spellers. It was originally designed for students with dyslexia, but it is useful for any child who needs structured, explicit instruction in these topics. At its core, OG breaks down the English language into patterns and teaches them step by step so students learn how our reading and writing system works. It gives struggling readers the clarity and structure they've been missing.

The OG approach is known for being sequential, cumulative, and multisensory. Lessons build slowly and intentionally. Kids see, say, hear, write and sometimes even move as they learn each phonics pattern. This helps the information stick, especially for students who have been overwhelmed by memorizing words or guessing from context. OG makes reading concrete rather than mysterious, and for many kids that shift is life-changing.

Although OG is excellent, it is not the whole picture. Many children who struggle with reading also have weak phonological skills. That means they have trouble separating words into sounds, manipulating those sounds and blending them back together again into words. This makes it hard for phonics instruction to “stick.” OG alone is often not enough for struggling readers. These students usually need strong phonological training with a program like Kilpatrick or Heggerty paired with OG phonics, spelling and morphology instruction. This combination is what finally helps kids become fluent readers and good spellers.

Why is OG so widely recommended? For one simple reason. It teaches students the phonics patterns they need to know in order to decode and spell with confidence. English has many patterns, and without being taught explicitly, kids are left to guess. OG removes the guesswork and gives students clear rules they can rely on. When paired with a strong phonological program, it becomes a powerful tool that helps students read accurately, spell more confidently, and finally feel in control of the learning process.

For parents who are just beginning to explore reading instruction options, understanding OG is an important first step. OG is a structured, research-supported method that helps make reading more predictable for kids who have felt confused for far too long.

If your child is struggling with reading or spelling, the right instruction can make all the difference. A tutor trained in both phonological skills and Orton-Gillingham can help your child build the foundation they need to become a fluent reader, good speller and confident student.

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