Orton-Gillingham Reading Therapy: Helping Your Child Read with Confidence

Is Reading Therapy Right for Your Child?

If reading time at home ends in tears, frustration, or avoidance, you’re not alone. Many parents notice early signs that their child is struggling with reading—but may not realize that reading therapy is an option that can make a noticeable difference.

Below are signs that your child may benefit from reading therapy.

1. They’re Falling Behind

One of the most common signs a child may need reading therapy is when they’re not keeping up with grade-level expectations. If your child avoids reading aloud, struggles to finish assignments, or gets lower grades in language arts, it could be more than just a motivation issue.

Reading therapy addresses the root causes of these struggles—whether it’s decoding, fluency, comprehension, or vocabulary—and provides targeted instruction.

2. They’re Guessing Instead of Sounding Out Words

Does your child look at a word and guess based on the first letter or a picture? This may be a red flag that they’re not developing strong phonics skills—the ability to connect sounds with letters and blend them together.

3. They’re Frustrated or Avoiding Reading Altogether

Children often know when they’re struggling, even if they can’t explain why. You may see:

• Avoidance during homework

• Complaints of stomachaches or headaches before reading

• Low self-esteem or anxiety about school

  
  

Reading therapy offers a safe, encouraging environment where kids can experience success and rebuild their confidence—often for the first time.

4. They Have Learning Differences

A formal diagnosis isn’t always necessary to start reading therapy, but for children with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences, early intervention is crucial. These children benefit from specialized instruction that teaches reading in a systematic, multi-sensory way—not the traditional one-size-fits-all classroom model.

Signs of dyslexia in children:

• Difficulty connecting letters to sounds

• Struggles to sound out simple words

• Confuses similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q)

• Slow, effortful reading

• Avoids reading aloud or becomes frustrated easily

• Can understand a story when read to, but can’t read it independently

• Poor spelling and frequent reversals or letter substitutions

• Trouble memorizing sight words

• Reads below grade level, despite strong thinking or verbal skills

• Writes slowly or messily; poor handwriting

• Difficulty organizing thoughts into written sentences

5. Something Feels Off

As a parent, you are the expert on your child. If you sense something isn’t clicking—even if teachers haven’t raised concerns yet—it’s worth exploring further. Reading therapy begins with a simple screening or assessment to see where your child is and how best to support them.

Reading therapy helps kids learn how to decode words step-by-step using structured methods like Orton-Gillingham, giving them the tools they need to become confident readers.

Some children need more structure, repetition, and support to build the foundational skills needed for reading. If your child has dyslexia or is struggling with reading fluency, spelling, or comprehension, the Orton-Gillingham approach may help.

What Is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a structured, multi-sensory approach to reading instruction. It was originally developed to support individuals with dyslexia, but it’s beneficial for any child who needs extra support in reading.

Unlike traditional reading programs, OG focuses on how the brain processes language, breaking down reading and spelling into manageable, sequential steps.

Why It Works

The Orton-Gillingham approach is:

• Multisensory: Children learn by seeing, hearing, touching, and moving. This strengthens memory and understanding.

• Structured and Sequential: Skills are taught in a logical order, building one concept at a time.

• Individualized: Instruction is tailored to meet the child where they are and move at their pace.

• Explicit: Nothing is assumed—rules and patterns are taught clearly and directly.

  
  

For example, instead of asking a child to memorize a word, we teach them to decode it by understanding letter sounds, patterns, and rules.

Who Can Benefit?

OG is especially effective for:

• Children with dyslexia

• Struggling readers or spellers

• Kids who need more repetition or structure

• Students who feel anxious or frustrated when reading

  
  

What a Session Looks Like

A typical Orton-Gillingham session includes:

• Review of previously learned skills

• Introduction of new concepts using tactile, auditory, and visual tools

• Guided practice with reading and spelling

• Games and interactive activities to reinforce learning

  
  

You might see your child tracing letters in sand, tapping out syllables, or sorting word cards—all to make reading feel more approachable and engaging.

Final Thoughts

If your child is feeling discouraged by reading, it doesn’t mean they can’t learn—it just means they need to take a different approach to learning how to read.

The Orton-Gillingham approach gives children the tools and confidence they need to become successful, independent readers. With patience, practice, and the right support, your child can enjoy learning to read and in turn, reading to learn.

Supporting Families in Burbank and Beyond

Speech Evolution Therapy is based in Burbank, serving children and families throughout the local area. We work with families from Alhambra, Bel Air, Beverly Grove, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Century City, Encino, Glendale, Malibu, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and Sherman Oaks.

We also offer tele-therapy, providing the same personalized care in a virtual setting for families who prefer remote sessions.

Questions? Contact us at 808-358-2026 or visit our website at www.speechevotherapy.com to schedule a consultation.