Orton-Gillingham is a method of teaching students how to read. It has been around since the 1930s and was developed by a psychologist named Samuel T. Orton and an educator named Helen Parkhurst Gillingham.
Over time, Orton-Gillingham has become one of the most popular methods for teaching dyslexic kids to read at their grade level or higher. And many educators are certified in this technique, but it’s not necessary for all teachers who work with dyslexic children. So if you’re wondering if your child needs this kind of help or if you’re wondering whether you should become certified yourself so that you can provide it, here’s what you need to know about Orton Gillingham certification:
What Is Orton-Gillingham?
The method was developed by Robert C. Orton in the early 1900s and has been used to help children with dyslexia learn to read since then. This learning/teaching method is based on the idea that children learn best when seeing the relationship between sounds and letters. This is accomplished by teaching as they explain each sound separately and then combine those sounds into words.
The goal of the Orton Gillingham instruction is for students to be able to decode unfamiliar words using phonics rules rather than guessing at them from context or using a sight vocabulary (just sounding out new words).
What Does an Orton-Gillingham Certified Practitioner Do?
As an Orton-Gillingham certified practitioner, you will be able to help children with dyslexia. You’ll work with the child and their family to determine what type of intervention is right for them. This will include a thorough assessment that determines how much the student has been impacted by their dyslexia.
You can also provide one-on-one tutoring sessions for students who need extra help in reading or spelling. And when working with these students, it’s essential to use a multi-sensory approach when teaching them new concepts about language and writing skills.
Do All Teachers Need to Be Orton-Gillingham Certified?
It’s important to note that not all teachers need to be Orton-Gillingham certified. It depends on the student’s needs, the school district, the teacher’s qualifications, and experience, as well as their knowledge of Orton-Gillingham techniques.
So if you’re interested in becoming an OG-certified teacher, contact your state’s department of education or visit the Association for Multiple Intelligences website for more information.
How Do You Know If Your Child Needs an Orton-Gillingham Intervention?
The first step to determining whether your child might benefit from an Orton-Gillingham intervention is simply watching them read. It’s essential that you remain non-judgmental and supportive, but if you see that they tend to skip words, have trouble sounding out unfamiliar words, or are generally unable to understand what they’re reading, this could be a sign of dyslexia.
Another red flag is if your student has difficulty with handwriting or spelling. And if any of these problems persist over time and interfere with their ability to succeed in school or participate in social activities with peers, it may be time for an evaluation by a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP).
Who Can Get Orton-Gillingham Certification, and Is It Expensive?
Whether or not you become certified is up to you. And certification is not mandatory, but it can help set you apart from other teachers and get you jobs. So to get certified, all you need is a bachelor’s degree in education. If you have that, then congratulations! You’re qualified!
There are no tests to pass before getting certified; in fact, there isn’t even a test to take at all! But don’t worry; they will make sure what you’ve been taught makes sense before giving the certification.
How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?
Orton Gillingham certification is not required to teach or practice OGT, but it is required for many SLP positions and most insurance companies. Meanwhile, there are a few different programs that you can use to become certified as an OGT specialist, and they vary in length from one week up to two years, depending on the program.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has a four-month training program that allows you to achieve your certificate in Orton Gillingham Theory in just four months by taking classes online while working full time. This is ideal for those who want a career change but don’t have time for more than part-time school work. However, if you want more than just the basics of learning about Orton Gillingham Methodology, then this might not be enough time for you!
Is There a Test Involved in Getting Certified?
There is a test involved in getting certified, but it’s not required by the state, the school, or even you. The test is optional and only for those who want to demonstrate their mastery of the Orton-Gillingham method. So if you’d like to take this test and become certified as an OGT teacher, that’s your prerogative. But if you’re just looking for a way to identify which approach fits best with your teaching style, there are other options available to help get started right away!
