What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach is a highly structured, multisensory, and individualized teaching approach designed to help individuals, particularly those with dyslexia and other reading challenges, learn to read and write. It was developed in the early 20th century by Dr. Samuel Orton, a neurologist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist. They based the approach on the understanding that dyslexia is a specific learning difference in how the brain processes language, and that with the right teaching strategies, people with dyslexia can overcome many of the difficulties they face.
What is the Science of Reading (SOR)?
The Science of Reading is a research-based framework for understanding how reading works, grounded in decades of scientific study. It emphasizes the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in developing strong reading skills. By aligning instruction with these evidence-based principles, educators can help all students become proficient readers, particularly those who struggle with reading challenges like dyslexia. The Science of Reading calls for a shift in how reading is taught, moving toward explicit, structured, and research-backed instruction for every child.
What is the difference between structured literacy and balanced literacy?
Structured Literacy is explicit and systematic, ensuring all children, especially those who struggle, get a strong foundation in phonics. Balanced Literacy is more flexible and exposure-based, focusing on meaning-making and independent reading but sometimes lacking in phonics depth.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to align reading instruction with the principles of the Science of Reading by moving from balanced literacy to structured literacy. This shift has led to changes in educational policy and curriculum design, especially in the U.S. and other countries that are revisiting how reading is taught.
Are your services only for children with dyslexia?
No, Danielle’s services are not exclusively for children with dyslexia. While the OG approach was originally developed to help individuals with dyslexia, it has proven to be effective for a wide range of learners, including those with other learning differences, as well as students who may not have a formal diagnosis but still struggle with reading and writing.
Can you diagnose dyslexia or provide neuropsychological testing?
No. As a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor, Danielle does not provide neuropsychological evaluations or formally diagnose dyslexia or other learning disabilities. A medical or clinical diagnosis must be completed by a licensed psychologist or qualified healthcare professional.
However, Danielle can conduct informal literacy screenings to identify reading challenges, skill gaps, and academic strengths. These screenings help determine whether a child may be showing signs consistent with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences.
Using this information, she designs highly individualized, structured literacy instruction grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Danielle also collaborates closely with parents, classroom teachers, and outside evaluators to ensure instruction is aligned with any existing evaluations and tailored to each child’s specific needs.
If you are seeking a dyslexia tutor or structured literacy intervention to support your child’s reading development, Danielle provides targeted, evidence-based instruction designed to build confidence and lasting literacy skills.
How soon should I seek support for my child?
“A child is 90% likely to remain a poor reader at the end of fourth grade if the child is a poor reader at the end of first grade.”* The earlier a struggling reader gets help, the easier it is to close the gap and build strong reading skills. The “Wait and See Approach” is actually doing more harm than good. Waiting too long makes intervention more difficult and less effective. While it is never too late to get support, the earlier support is provided, the more effective the support will be.
*-American Federation of Teachers
Where do you offer your services?
Danielle offers in-person tutoring to local families in the Bergen County, NJ area. Virtual sessions are provided to families located anywhere in the USA and around the world who need immediate access to literacy support. Whether a family receives support in person or virtually, the engagement and effectiveness of instruction remains the same.
How long will my child’s tutoring last?
This all depends on the progress your child is making. The typical time commitment is a minimum requirement of four months. This allows Danielle and the child to develop a positive relationship and ensure a consistent routine in the structure and implementation of each lesson. Based on the child’s performance during each session and the progress monitoring assessment (conducted every 3 months), a change in frequency and/or duration is determined.
How will I know if my child is making progress?
In addition to maintaining comprehensive notes during and after each lesson, progress monitoring assessments are conducted every 3 months to evaluate each child’s progress.
How can I support my child at home?
Danielle is happy to provide feedback and recommendations for activities that families can do to support their child at home. Parent workshops are currently being developed and will be an available option soon.
