Finding the Best Reading Program for Students with Dyslexia


If you are helping a struggling reader and you are looking for a reading program, it can be an overwhelming process to sift through the multitude of options that are currently available. Many approaches focus on the well researched Orton-Gillingham based instructional approach, however, each program offers their own materials and addresses a variety of different age groups.

What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading?
The Orton-Gillingham approach to reading was named after Samuel Torrey Orton (1879-1948) and Anna Gillingham (1878-1963) who gathered and published a detailed instructional manual in the 1930s. They created a structured, multisensory, step by step approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling that incorporated the explicit and systematic teaching of phonemic awareness, syllabication, and word morphology.  There has been extensive research on this approach to reading and it is known to be an excellent option for students with dyslexia.  

So How Can I Find the Best Program?
I've attached the following table to help make the search for your ideal approach more manageable. I don't have experience with all the programs, but I am familiar with and have used components of the ones that are starred in my own practice.

Program
Grades
K-6
Grades
7-9
Grades 10-12
Grades Adults
Software Based?
ABeCeDarian





Academy of Reading



✔




Alphabetic Phonics




Association Method




Barton


Fast Forward




Fast Track



High Point



Jolly Phonics





Language!


Lexercise


Lexia-Herman





* Lexia Reading


✔
* Lindamood-Bell




Mind Play

✔
* Nessy Reading


✔
Open Court Reading





Orton-Gillingham Approach


Orton Gillingham Online Academy


Phonics First


Project Read




Rave-O





Read Naturally



Read Well






✔
Reading Mastery




Really Great Reading


Simultaneous Multisensory Teaching


Slingerland




Sonday System


Sounds in Syllable


Spalding Method




SpellRead



SRA Early Intervention




Starting Over


Read, Write & Type Learning System




Spire





Take Flight




Trass





* Wilson Reading System


Created by Michael Bates and Dr. Erica Warren 

Do I Use a Reading Program in my Private Practice?
Personally, I don't use a reading program, however, I occasionally assign the Nessy Reading and Spelling online site to my students.  Although I was trained in a number of Orton-Gillingham based programs, I chose to study the comprehensive and extensive source: The Gillingham Manual.  Then I created my own supplemental games and multisensory activities to make the approach more engaging and enjoyable for students.

I hope you found this blog helpful and that the information will assist you in making the best decision for your particular situation.

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Go Dyslexia, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to https://godyslexia.com/, www.goodsensorylearning.com, www.dyslexiamaterials.com & www.learningtolearn.biz  
Follow on Bloglovin

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia: 12 Strategies for Success

Image
Students with dyslexia or symptoms of dyslexia often struggle in school. It is not that they have limited abilities.  On the contrary, many have IQs in the above average or genius range. As a result, instead of a dumbed down curriculum, these students need to be challenged and they need to receive accommodations, modifications and multisensory teaching techniques to unleash their learning potential.   What makes it difficult to accommodate students with dyslexia is that each student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Yes, two students with dyslexia don’t have the same pattern of cognitive processing deficits. In fact, there are a number of profiles that can lead to this diagnosis . In addition, there are a number of specific cognitive skills that can cause symptoms of dyslexia . Consequently, a successful remediation often requires a tailored, individualized approach.  To tap into the quickest results, I have learned that one has to look at the specific cognitive difficul
Read more

Finding the Best College for Students with Learning Disabilities

Image
Finding the best college is tricky for any student, but for those with learning disabilities (LDs) it can be an even bigger feat.  In fact, the perfect school is out there for practically anyone, but finding it, takes some time and persistence.  There are a number of options for students with LDs from colleges that cater primarily to this population to larger universities that offer specialized programs.  With the proper testing in hand, all schools are mandated to provide reasonable accommodations, but not all institutions make it an easy task. What Are My Options? Pre-colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities: These programs help to prepare students for the rigors of college and make sure they have the study skills, basic math, reading and writing capabilities needed to be a successful student.  This might be a summer program or an additional year - commonly called a 13th year.  For example, Thames at Mitchell College is a unique transition program on a college campus. Coll
Read more

Important Dyslexia Accommodations in the Classroom

Image
Getting a school to recognize, test, and then accommodate your child with dyslexia can be an arduous and frustrating task. Although public school systems can accommodate the individual needs of our struggling students, many administrators don’t like to tap into the general education coffers for a single student. As a result, parents often have to rally and wrestle to obtain reasonable accommodations for their children with dyslexia and other disabilities that impact learning. The key to navigating this slippery slope is to understand the laws, the lingo as well as the menus of mandated accommodations and modifications. What are my Options? There are two options for acquiring accommodations: 504: A 504 is a formal plan that protects the rights of students with disabilities in school. Covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, this civil rights law gives students with disabilities access to services and supports in the general education classroom. There are no mandated rules on
Read more