Orton Gillingham Tutoring in NJ: What Parents Should Know
If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or writing, you may be looking for an Orton Gillingham tutor for them. For many students, especially those with dyslexia and reading challenges, this method can be life changing.
This guide will explain what the Orton Gillingham approach is, who benefits from this method, and how to find the best Orton Gillingham tutor in NJ.
What is Orton Gillingham?
Orton Gillingham is a research-based, multi-sensory approach that helps students develop stronger reading and spelling skills. While it was originally designed for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, any student struggling with reading can benefit from this approach.
Unlike traditional reading tutoring, Orton Gillingham is
- Multi-sensory – it integrates the visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic modalities
- Structured and systematic – Orton Gillingham lessons are taught in a step-by-step order, and previously taught concepts are integrated into new lessons
- Diagnostic and prescriptive – lessons are individualized based on the needs of each student
- Explicit – Orton Gillingham sounds and rules are directly taught to students
The Orton Gillingham method is considered to be one of the most effective approaches for students with reading challenges, including dyslexia.
Who benefits from Orton Gillingham tutoring in NJ?
Orton Gillingham tutoring can help any student who struggles with reading, but it is an optimal approach for students who:
- Have a dyslexia diagnosis
- Struggle to decode, or sound out, words
- Have challenges spelling words accurately
- Struggle to read fluently
- Feel frustrated when reading or avoid reading
Parents in New Jersey often start looking for Orton Gillingham tutoring when they notice their child is struggling with reading, is feeling frustrated, or is losing self-confidence.
Read more about who benefits from Orton Gillingham tutoring at Who Benefits from Orton Gillingham Tutoring?
Why Orton Gillingham works
Orton Gillingham works because it is structured, systematic, and teaches struggling learners in a way that works for them, using an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach. Rather than looking at the beginning sound and “guessing” at a word or otherwise memorizing words, with Orton Gillingham tutoring, students learn:
- The names of each letter and its corresponding sound
- The connection between sounds and letters
- Specific word patterns
- Spelling rules
- Tools for decoding words they haven’t seen before
Orton Gillingham tutoring sessions are hands-on and engaging, helping students not only develop their reading and spelling skills, but retain what they learn. Ultimately, this approach leads to improved decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and reading comprehension skills.
What to look for in an Orton Gillingham tutor in NJ
When seeking an Orton Gillingham tutor in NJ, look for someone with the following:
1. Experience with learning disabilities and reading challenges
A strong Orton Gillingham tutor has expertise in working with students who have learning disabilities, including dyslexia, as well as students with general reading challenges, and can adapt their tutoring based on how the student responds.
2. Creates a structured plan
When providing Orton Gillingham tutoring, a structured plan should be in place for the tutoring sessions. Students should receive an initial evaluation to determine their strengths and weaknesses and the specific aspects of reading they struggle with. Then a structured tutoring plan should be put in place, beginning with the student’s current level and progressing forward accordingly.
3. Provides individualized Instruction
Orton Gillingham lessons should always be tailored to the specific needs of each student. Some students may struggle to read and spell basic consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words, while others may have difficulty with more complex words containing consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, or multi-syllabic words. An Orton Gillingham tutoring plan should always be in place for students and modified based on how the student responds.
4. Offers consistent tutoring sessions
It’s important that students who receive Orton Gillingham tutoring have consistent tutoring sessions on a regular basis. Orton Gillingham lessons build upon one another, and most students need consistent repetition in order to internalize new sounds and concepts. Reinforcement at home in between sessions is helpful as well.
5. Provides progress Updates
Parents should receive updates on how their child is progressing from the Orton Gillingham tutoring lessons. Some students show progress quickly, while others need more time and repetition to significantly improve their reading skills.
Orton Gillingham versus traditional reading tutoring
Traditional reading tutoring may involve individual unconnected lessons that vary from week to week or might focus simply on helping students complete their reading homework.
Orton Gillingham tutoring, on the other hand, focuses on core skills building, starting with foundational reading skills and then progressing upwards from there. The lessons build upon one another in a systematic way, helping students gain mastery of new sounds and concepts and feel more confident with their reading skills.
For students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, this type of dyslexia reading tutoring is highly effective.
In-person versus virtual tutoring
When seeking an Orton Gillingham tutor for your child, you may be looking at both in-home and virtual tutoring options. Both modalities can work for Orton Gillingham tutoring, based on your child’s needs and preferences.
While in-person tutoring offers face-to-face interactions and easily integrated multi-sensory tools, such as colored sand, magnetic tiles, and shaving cream, virtual tutoring has its advantages as well. Online tutoring generally offers more flexibility with scheduling and allows you to access specialized tutors who may not be available in your local geographic area.
How long does it take to see results from Orton Gillingham tutoring?
The rate at which students show progress from Orton Gillingham varies based on their unique levels and profile. Some students show progress very quickly, while others take longer to process and internalize new Orton Gillingham sounds and concepts.
In general, families might notice the following from Orton Gillingham tutoring:
- Increased reading confidence within the first month
- Improved decoding and spelling skills within the first 2-3 months
- Significant growth in reading and spelling with 6-12 months
These are just general estimates – some students may take less time to show progress, and others may take more time. The goal with this systematic, multi-sensory approach to tutoring is to create gains that will last for the long run.
Why NJ Parents choose Orton Gillingham tutoring
Many parents are looking for the right support to help their child who is struggling with reading. They often choose Orton Gillingham tutoring in New Jersey because their child:
- Is not responding well to traditional classroom reading instruction
- Has dyslexia or another learning disability
- Is struggling to keep up with the pace of reading instruction in a large class and needs more individualized support
- Is showing challenges with foundational reading and spelling skills
OG tutoring provides students with individualized, highly effective instruction that can help them build their reading skills and feel confident and successful in school.
Concluding Thoughts
If your child is struggling with reading, don’t wait! The reading demands will only increase as students progress through school. Orton Gillingham tutoring in New Jersey can provide the individualized support your child needs to thrive academically.
If you are looking for an Orton Gillingham tutor in New Jersey or NYC, we can help! EBL Coaching specializes in providing one-on-one Orton Gillingham tutoring to students in their home, at our learning center, or virtually. Contact us now to see how we can help your child with our individualized Orton Gillingham tutoring programs.
Our New Jersey learning center is located at 50 East Palisade Avenue, Suite 201, Englewood, NJ 07631 and our NYC learning center is located at 17 East 89th Street, Suite 1D, New York, NY 10128.
We provide in-home Orton Gillingham tutoring throughout NYC and its surrounding areas, and we also provide in-home Orton Gillingham tutoring in Bergen County, dyslexia tutoring in Essex County, specialized reading tutoring in Hudson County, and Orton Gillingham tutoring in all surrounding areas in New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions about Orton Gillingham tutoring
Is Orton Gillingham tutoring only for students with dyslexia?
No, absolutely not! While Orton Gillingham was originally designed for students with dyslexia, any student who is struggling with reading can benefit from this approach. It is systematic, multi-sensory, and highly effective at helping students build their reading and spelling skills.
When should my child start Orton Gillingham tutoring?
Your child should start Orton Gillingham tutoring as soon as you notice them struggling with reading. This could happen very early; some young children struggle to learn the names of the letters and their corresponding sounds, along with how to properly write each letter. Orton Gillingham tutoring can help students build these early foundational skills. This method can also help students who may be older and struggling with reading or spelling more complex words.
How often should my child receive Orton Gillingham tutoring?
The frequency that students receive Orton Gillingham tutoring varies based on their needs and levels. Some students need only a few sessions per week, while others need daily instruction. Each child should be evaluated to assess their specific needs before Orton Gillingham tutoring begins, and an individualized tutoring plan should be created.
Read more about Orton Gillingham tutoring in New Jersey at Orton Gillingham Tutoring in NJ for Students with Dyslexia
Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has helped thousands of students with dyslexia and reading challenges through Orton Gillingham tutoring for over twenty years. She is also the author of the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook series, used by students and schools nationwide.