Orton Gillingham is highly effective for students with dyslexia, reading delays, or those who haven't responded well to conventional reading instruction. It's also valuable for students who are strong in other areas but struggle specifically with decoding, spelling, or phonemic awareness. While it works well for younger students building foundational skills, older students and adults can benefit significantly too, often experiencing rapid progress once they understand how English sound patterns work systematically.

The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonemic awareness, and specific challenges—such as difficulty with certain letter sounds, blending, or sight words. Based on this evaluation, a tutor will explain the Orton Gillingham approach, demonstrate how it works, and establish a personalized learning plan that matches your student's starting point and pace. You'll leave with a clear understanding of where your student is and what to expect from instruction going forward.

Many students see noticeable improvements in phonemic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of tutoring. Students working with tutors 2-3 times per week typically progress faster than those meeting less frequently. Sustained improvement in reading fluency and comprehension usually develops over several months as students internalize the systematic patterns and build automaticity with decoding.

In a classroom of 20+ students, teachers must use pacing and methods that work for the average learner—which often doesn't serve struggling readers well. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction moves at your student's pace, focuses on their specific gaps, and uses multisensory techniques consistently every session. A tutor can immediately adjust when something isn't clicking, provide intensive practice on problem areas, and celebrate progress in ways that build confidence alongside skills.

Yes. Madison's six school districts serve over 25,000 students across 87 schools, and while classroom reading instruction varies, strong decoding and phonemic awareness skills—the foundation Orton Gillingham builds—are essential for success in any curriculum. Students who work with tutors using this method develop the confidence and skills to keep up with grade-level reading demands, participate more actively in class discussions, and tackle challenging texts independently. Tutors can also align their instruction with what your student is learning in school to reinforce progress.

Varsity Tutors connects families in Madison with tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and understand the specific needs of students with reading challenges. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor whose expertise, availability, and teaching style fit your student's needs. You can discuss your student's current reading level, any previous assessments, and your goals so the right tutor is selected from the start.

For students with dyslexia or significant reading struggles, Orton Gillingham is one of the most evidence-based approaches available and often produces results that classroom instruction alone hasn't achieved. The investment in personalized, expert instruction typically pays dividends in improved reading skills, increased academic confidence, and better performance across all subjects that depend on reading. Early intervention is particularly valuable—addressing reading difficulties in elementary years prevents compounding struggles in middle and high school.