Who Were Orton and Gillingham?

Samuel Torrey Orton (1879-1948), a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist, was a pioneer in focusing attention on reading failure and related processing difficulties. He brought together neuro-scientific information and principals of remediation. As early as the 1920's, he had extensively studied children with the kind of language processing difficulties now commonly associated with dyslexia, and had formulated a set of teaching principles and practices for such children.

Samuel T. Orton

Materials for an OG Lesson

Anna Gillingham (1878-1963) was a gifted educator and psychologist with a superb mastery of the English language. Working with Dr. Orton, she trained teachers and compiled and published instructional materials. Over the last half century, the Orton-Gillingham approach has been the most influential intervention designed expressly for remediating the language processing problems of children and adults with dyslexia.

What are the goals of The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators?

• To establish and maintain professional and ethical standards for practitioners and educators of the Orton-Gillingham approach for the treatment of dyslexia;

• To examine, approve, certify, and recognize those individuals who have demonstrated competence as practitioners and educators of the Orton-Gillingham approach and to accredit programs that train such persons.

• To insure professional growth of Orton-Gillingham practitioners and educators by promoting and sponsoring continuing education programs.

• To sponsor, promote, and undertake research relevant to Orton-Gillingham instruction.

• To disseminate the results of such research to professional educators, agencies, and to the public at large.

• To promote public awareness of the needs of children and adults with dyslexia, and of the Orton-Gillingham approach for the treatment of dyslexia.