Orton Gillingham vs. Wired for Reading

Attribute	Orton Gillingham	Wired for Reading
Teaching Approach	Multisensory, structured, sequential	Multisensory, structured, sequential
Target Audience	Students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties	Students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties
Phonics Instruction	Systematic phonics instruction	Systematic phonics instruction
Decoding Strategies	Explicit teaching of decoding strategies	Explicit teaching of decoding strategies
Structured Lessons	Lessons follow a structured, cumulative scope and sequence	Lessons follow a structured, cumulative scope and sequence

Overview

Orton Gillingham and Wired for Reading are both structured literacy programs designed to help individuals with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. While they share the common goal of improving reading skills, they have distinct approaches and methodologies.

Orton Gillingham

Orton Gillingham is a well-established, multisensory approach to teaching reading. It is based on the principles of structured, sequential, and cumulative instruction. The program focuses on teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in a systematic way. Orton Gillingham is often used with students who have dyslexia or other reading challenges.

• Structured, sequential, and cumulative instruction
• Multisensory approach
• Focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
• Effective for students with dyslexia

Wired for Reading

Wired for Reading is a newer program that also emphasizes structured literacy instruction. It is designed to be user-friendly for teachers and parents, with a focus on practical strategies for teaching reading. Wired for Reading incorporates elements of Orton Gillingham, but also includes additional components such as visual processing exercises and memory strategies.

• User-friendly for teachers and parents
• Practical strategies for teaching reading
• Incorporates visual processing exercises and memory strategies
• Based on structured literacy principles

Similarities

Both Orton Gillingham and Wired for Reading are based on structured literacy principles. They both emphasize the importance of systematic, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Both programs also use a multisensory approach to teaching, engaging students through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.

• Structured literacy principles
• Systematic, explicit instruction
• Multisensory approach
• Focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension

Differences

While Orton Gillingham and Wired for Reading share many similarities, there are also key differences between the two programs. Orton Gillingham has been around for decades and has a well-established reputation for effectiveness with students who have dyslexia. Wired for Reading, on the other hand, is a newer program that may be more accessible to teachers and parents who are looking for practical strategies for teaching reading.

• Orton Gillingham has a longer history and established reputation
• Wired for Reading may be more user-friendly for teachers and parents
• Wired for Reading includes additional components such as visual processing exercises and memory strategies
• Orton Gillingham is often used with students who have dyslexia

Conclusion

Both Orton Gillingham and Wired for Reading are effective structured literacy programs that can help individuals improve their reading skills. While Orton Gillingham has a longer history and established reputation, Wired for Reading offers a more user-friendly approach with practical strategies for teaching reading. Ultimately, the choice between the two programs may depend on the specific needs and preferences of the student, teacher, or parent.