Orton-Gillingham and Phonological Processing
Structured, Language-Based Reading Instruction
An Orton-Gillingham approach to building skilled readers
At PediaSpeech, we bring our expertise in spoken language directly into how we support children’s reading. Because reading is, at its core, language on a page, our therapists use the Orton-Gillingham approach — a structured, language-based method originally developed by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham — to help children build the skills they need to become confident, capable readers.
What Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
Orton-Gillingham is a direct, explicit, and multisensory approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling. Rather than expecting children to absorb reading skills through exposure alone, it breaks reading down into its smaller building blocks — the sounds of language and the letters that represent them — and teaches those pieces in a carefully sequenced order, building new skills on top of ones already mastered. It’s widely recognized as a founding approach within Structured Literacy and the broader science of reading, and it’s especially effective for children with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Core Principles We Bring to Every Session:
Multisensory instruction
We engage sight, hearing, touch, and movement together — seeing a letter, saying its sound, hearing it, and writing it — so children build stronger, more durable connections between sounds and print.
Explicit and direct teaching
We never expect children to guess at how language works. Every sound-letter relationship and spelling pattern is taught clearly and directly.
Systematic and sequential progression
Skills are introduced in a carefully planned order, from simple to complex, with each new concept building on skills a child has already mastered.
Cumulative practice
Previously learned skills are consistently reviewed and reinforced alongside new material, so learning stays solid rather than fading over time.
Diagnostic and responsive teaching
We continually monitor how a child is progressing and adjust instruction in real time, meeting each child exactly where they are.
Language-Based Reading Therapy
Why choose language-based reading therapy with our Orton-Gillingham trained Speech-Language Pathologist to work with your child?
Reading difficulties are frequently rooted in spoken language. Challenges with phonological awareness, sound-letter connections, or language processing are often at the heart of why a child struggles to decode or spell. As speech-language pathologists, we’re uniquely positioned to address reading at that level, connecting the oral language skills we already treat directly to the written language skills a child needs for reading and spelling. A structured, sequential, multisensory approach like Orton-Gillingham gives children who struggle with reading, including those with dyslexia, a clear, confidence-building path forward, built on the same solid foundation of spoken language we work on in every other area of therapy.
Tailored Approach:
We recognize that every individual is unique, and our therapy sessions are customized to meet the specific needs of each child. Through personalized assessments, we identify areas of struggle and the underlying cause for the difficulty and create a targeted plan to build essential reading and language skills.
Multisensory Techniques:
Orton-Gillingham employs multisensory techniques, engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways simultaneously. This proven method helps reinforce learning and creates lasting connections in the brain, promoting improved reading and language skills.
Structured and Sequential:
The OG approach breaks down the reading process into manageable components, allowing your child to master each skill before progressing to the next. This structured and sequential method builds confidence and competence step by step.
Positive and Supportive Environment:
Our Speech-Language Pathologist fosters a positive and supportive atmosphere, encouraging a love for learning and reading. Building self-esteem is a crucial aspect of our therapy, as we believe a confident reader is a successful reader.
What to expect
According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), Pediatric feeding disorder is defined as “a disturbance in oral intake of nutrients, inappropriate for age, lasting for more than 2 weeks and associated with 1 or more 4 areas”:
Comprehensive Language Assessment:
Our journey begins with a thorough assessment of your child's reading, phonological and language skills, allowing us to pinpoint areas that need attention.
Personalized Intervention:
Based on the assessment, we design a tailored intervention plan to address your child's specific challenges, ensuring a focused and effective approach.
Engaging Sessions:
Therapy sessions are interactive, utilizing a variety of activities and materials to keep your child engaged while reinforcing essential skills.
Helpful Resources for Parents
blog posts
Explore our collection of articles written by our pediatric therapy experts, covering topics such as speech and language development, feeding therapy, occupational therapy, developmental milestones, communication tips, and practical strategies you can use at home.
resources page
We compiled a list of websites that provide insights, therapy tips, developmental milestones, and evidence-based strategies that help children build confidence, improve communication, and thrive at every stage of development.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a speech & language evaluation
Every child deserves to be heard and understood. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech or communication development, our experienced pediatric speech-language pathologists are here to help. Let’s take the first step toward helping your child communicate with greater confidence.