How do people “get” dyslexia?

The causes for dyslexia are neurobiological and genetic.  Individuals inherit the genetic links for dyslexia.  Chances are that one of the child’s parents, aunts, or uncles has dyslexia.  With proper diagnosis, appropriate instruction, hard work, and support from family, teachers, friends, and others, individuals who have dyslexia can succeed in school and later as working adults.

Is the Orton-Gillingham approach through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators different than a reading program?

Yes, the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading, spelling, and writing involves several years of working alongside a Fellow where the tutor receives classroom instruction, and 1:1 intensive training and submission of lesson plans that are analyzed.  Eventually, the tutor submits their lesson plans to a committee for approval of certification.  All lessons are prescriptive—designed according to a student’s academic need.

Can individuals who have dyslexia learn to read?

Yes.  If children who have dyslexia receive effective phonological awareness and phonics training in Kindergarten and 1st grade, they will have significantly fewer problems in learning to read at grade level than do children who are not identified or helped until 3rd grade.  74% of the children who are poor readers in 3rd grade remain poor readers in the 9th grade, many because they do not receive appropriate Structured Literacy instruction with the needed intensity or duration.  Often they can’t read well as adults either.  It is never too late for individuals with dyslexia to learn to read, process, and express information more efficiently. 

How long does reading intervention last?

It depends on the severity of the student’s reading issue.  Typically, it can take from 1 ½ - 2 years of consistent intervention to ‘close the gap’.  It also depends on the age of the student.  If the student is in kindergarten or first grade, it may take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to remediate their reading (decoding) and spelling skills.