Do Orton-Gillingham Techniques Still Work for Today’s Learners
As the school year hits its stride in November, many families begin to notice just how hard reading can feel for some kids. Homework routines become more demanding, and the gaps between students can stand out more clearly. For children who struggle with reading or spelling, those gaps often lead to frustration, avoidance, or growing self-doubt.
It’s common to wonder what kind of support will actually make a difference. One question we hear a lot is whether older teaching methods still work, especially in a world where classrooms are filled with tech and kids scroll through screens more than books. The Orton-Gillingham approach has been around for decades, but it continues to show up in tutoring programs and reading support
What Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
Orton-Gillingham is more than just a set of teaching tools. It’s a structured way of helping students make sense of how English works, one piece at a time. The method was first developed in the 1930s for students with dyslexia, and its guiding ideas still hold strong today, especially for kids who need reading instruction that’s clear, consistent, and repeatable.
At the heart of Orton-Gillingham are a few key features:
• Multisensory instruction that combines seeing, hearing, saying, and writing
• Lessons that build on each other in a logical sequence
• One-on-one or small group sessions that adapt to the student's pace
This approach is not fast-tracked. It moves step-by-step, slowing things down just enough to help kids really grasp each sound, pattern, and rule. Tutors using Orton-Gillingham methods often work on basic skills like phonemic awareness and letter formation before moving on to more advanced reading or spelling work. That gradual build helps create a solid foundation, which is especially helpful for students who haven’t felt successful in traditional classrooms.
Lamorinda Reads uses the Slingerland Approach, which is grounded in Orton-Gillingham principles, to deliver multisensory, structured literacy instruction for elementary students with dyslexia and related learning differences.
Why These Techniques Still Matter in a Digital, Fast-Paced World
In a classroom filled with apps, videos, and devices, it might seem like a hands-on reading method would feel outdated. But for many students, the opposite is true. Slowing down and using multiple senses to learn can actually give the brain a needed break from information overload.
Kids who struggle with attention, processing speed, or reading fluency often feel lost when lessons race by. Orton-Gillingham techniques pull things back into a manageable rhythm. Instead of reading being this blurry blur of words, students get to touch, trace, and say each sound at their own pace. That movement and repetition builds confidence without relying on flashy extras.
Here’s where these techniques still make a difference:
Multisensory learning helps bring focus and memory into the picture
Structured lessons reduce surprises and help kids know what to expect
A slower, more mindful pace gives space for actual understanding, not just guessing
For families trying to balance screen time and practical skill-building, this kind of instruction can feel like a reset. It gives kids tools that serve them longer than any one app or online platform.
What Today’s Learners Need (and How Orton-Gillingham Meets Those Needs)
In many schools, reading instruction has to move quickly. Teachers cover a lot, often with very large groups. For some students, that pace works fine. But for others, especially those with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences, it leaves too many gaps. They might memorize sight words or guess their way through a passage without fully understanding how the sounds and letters work together.
One strength of the Orton-Gillingham approach is its ability to stretch or slow depending on a student’s needs. It doesn’t expect every child to move at the same speed. Instead, it offers:
Built-in options to review or repeat steps as needed
Time to internalize what’s being learned before adding something new
A focus on mastery before moving forward
This kind of flexible structure is especially helpful for students who struggle with executive functioning, things like attention, planning, or remembering directions. By clearing away distractions and sticking to a clear, reliable process, Orton-Gillingham techniques give kids a way to engage with learning that feels manageable, not overwhelming.
Seasonal Learning Challenges and the Role of Support in November
By November, students have had enough time in school to show how well their current reading strategies are working, or not. Fall break is over, mid-year benchmarks are coming, and daily work is getting heavier. These weeks can shine a light on areas where a child has been quietly struggling.
Families often start to notice patterns like:
Homework taking twice as long as it should
Arguments about reading or writing work
Avoidance behaviors when books or assignments come out
While it can feel discouraging, this is actually a good time to make a change. There’s still enough of the term left to make progress before winter break. Support that starts now can build momentum instead of trying to play catch-up in January.
Tutoring that uses a structured method, especially one like Orton-Gillingham, can help close those early gaps before they turn into bigger blocks. Pausing the frustration and rebuilding with clear, repeated steps often boosts not just skills, but confidence.
At Lamorinda Reads, we work with families in Lafayette, California, to address learning differences with research-backed methods that include the Slingerland and Orton-Gillingham Approaches. Multisensory routines help strengthen reading, writing, and spelling, and are always adapted to each child’s needs.
A Method That’s Still Making a Difference
Time doesn’t cancel out good ideas. The way we teach might look different than it did 50 years ago, but the way our brains learn to read hasn't changed quite as much. Orton-Gillingham techniques still work because they go straight to the building blocks, sounds, letters, and patterns, and make sure each one is solid before stacking on the next.
We'll always keep adapting to meet students where they are. But that doesn’t mean we throw out the tools that keep showing up with results. These time-tested methods continue to offer something that many newer approaches can’t, a clear, patient path forward for kids who need reading to finally start making sense.
At Lamorinda Reads, we have seen how consistent support can help students regain confidence and enjoy learning again. For kids in Lafayette, California, and nearby areas who are struggling with reading and attention, structured methods continue to offer a steady path forward. Curiosity about how the Orton-Gillingham approach fits your child’s needs is a great first step. We are here to help guide you with practical solutions that support your child’s progress. Start the conversation today.
