Why the Orton-Gillingham Approach is the Gold Standard for Dyslexia Therapy
If you’re the parent of a bright child who’s struggling with reading, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and maybe even a little bit lost. You’ve tried reading programs, extra help at school, and maybe even a tutor—but nothing seems to stick. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. There’s a reason why parents and experts alike call the Orton-Gillingham approach the gold standard for dyslexia therapy. Let’s investigate what makes it so effective—and why it’s the foundation of Lexercise Professional Therapy offered at Dyslexia Superstars.
What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach was developed in the early 20th century by neurologist Dr. Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham. Dr. Orton identified that many struggling readers had difficulty connecting written symbols to sounds—a core issue now understood as phonological processing difficulties, the hallmark of dyslexia.
Anna Gillingham, a brilliant educator and psychologist, took Orton’s insights and created a structured, multisensory teaching method to help students make those critical symbol-sound connections. Published in the 1930s, the Orton-Gillingham manual laid the groundwork for what is now known as Structured Literacy.
But OG isn’t stuck in the past. Over the decades, the approach has evolved and modernized with the latest reading science. It’s no longer just a method—it’s a family of evidence-based strategies aligned with the Science of Reading, and it’s still changing lives every day.
Why It Works: The Core Principles of Orton-Gillingham
Orton-Gillingham instruction is not “one-size-fits-all.” It is:
- Structured – Every lesson follows a clear, predictable format. This builds confidence and reduces anxiety, especially for children who feel overwhelmed by reading.
- Sequential & Systematic – Concepts are introduced from simple to complex. For example, students master basic short vowel CVC words before moving on to multisyllabic words or morphemes.
- Cumulative – New skills build upon previously learned material. Past concepts are constantly reviewed and reinforced to ensure long-term retention.
- Explicit & Direct – There’s no guessing involved. Students are taught exactly what they need to know, step by step, in a clear and engaging way.
- Multisensory – Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile channels are used together. A student might look at the letters “ee,” say the sound /ē/, trace the letters in sand, and connect it to a keyword like “feet”—anchoring the learning with multiple sensory pathways.
This multisensory integration strengthens the brain’s reading circuitry, particularly in students with dyslexia who need deliberate, repeated exposure to form connections that typical readers develop naturally.
From Gold Standard to Cutting-Edge: The Modern OG Approach
Today’s most effective dyslexia programs are built on the OG foundation, but they go even further by applying current neuroscience and technology. This is what we call Structured Literacy.
Structured Literacy programs:
- Embrace the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope frameworks
- Incorporate morphology, orthography, and syntax—not just phonics
- Include robust assessment and progress monitoring
- Provide targeted, individualized instruction with ongoing adjustment
This is exactly the kind of intervention your child receives with Lexercise Professional Therapy.
Why Dyslexia Superstars Uses Lexercise and Orton-Gillingham
At Dyslexia Superstars, we deliver Lexercise Professional Therapy—an online, science-backed program rooted in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Here’s why it works so well for struggling readers:
✅ One-on-One Online Therapy: Your child meets weekly with a certified dyslexia therapist who designs each session to match their current skill level and learning style.
✅ Parent Coaching Included: You’ll be fully supported with strategies, insights, and easy-to-follow Shared Parent Activities that make a real difference between sessions. You become a powerful part of the solution.
✅ Daily Practice Games: Our custom-curated online games give your child fun, frequent, and targeted practice that locks in what they’re learning.
✅ Structured, Science-Backed Lessons: We follow a precise curriculum that ensures your child is moving through the OG sequence at just the right pace. Each lesson builds directly on the last.
✅ Progress You Can See: The built-in parent dashboard lets you monitor your child’s growth every step of the way. And with our 8-week Lexercise Guarantee, you’ll see a full grade level of improvement—or we’ll give you four weeks free.
✅ Convenient & Flexible: Everything is delivered online, so you can access expert therapy from anywhere.
The Bottom Line: Structured Literacy Changes Lives
Tutoring might seem helpful—but it’s often more of the same instruction that already hasn’t worked. Your child needs something deeper. More targeted. More effective.
Structured Literacy with the Orton-Gillingham approach actually rewires the brain for reading success.
If your child is struggling, don’t wait. The earlier we intervene, the easier it is to build strong, lasting reading skills. Let’s turn things around—together.
Lexercise Professional Therapy with Dyslexia Superstars isn’t just a program. It’s a path to relief, joy, and a reading breakthrough your whole family will celebrate.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Schedule a free consultation today. We’ll answer your questions, explore your child’s needs, and show you exactly how our therapy works. You don’t have to figure this out alone. We’re here, we know what to do, and we love doing it – transforming the lives of struggling readers.
Dyslexia Superstars – Rewiring the Brain for Reading Success.
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