The Orton-Gillingham Approach is best described as:

• A. A program that teaches keyboarding and handwriting only.
• B. Instructional approach for students with difficulty reading, spelling, and writing, used in small group instruction for dyslexia.
• C. A standardized test for reading abilities.
• D. A behavioral management plan for classroom behavior.

Answer: (B)

Explicit, systematic, multisensory instruction to teach reading, spelling, and writing is what the Orton-Gillingham Approach is all about. It builds phonemic awareness and phonics by teaching how sounds map to letters, how to blend sounds to read, and how to segment sounds to spell. Lessons proceed in a carefully sequenced, paced manner with ongoing checks to match the student’s next steps, ensuring skill mastery before moving on. This approach is especially helpful for students who have difficulty reading and spelling, including many with dyslexia, and it’s commonly delivered in small-group or one-on-one settings to provide targeted, scaffolded support. It’s not about keyboarding or handwriting alone, nor a standardized test, nor a behavioral management plan.