I tutor using the Orton-Gillingham (OG) influenced Barton Reading and Spelling System.
It is a multi-sensory, direct, explicit, structured and sequential program with effectiveness proven from 15 independent studies from both public and private schools. It was developed just for people with dyslexia and can be used for kids 5 and older as well as adults.
Your child should also be able to speak and understand spoken English at least at a second grade level. Have an IQ of at least 71 and pass a short screening to see if they are ready to start an OG program like Barton.
The Barton system has been approved by the California, Colorado and Arkansas Boards of Education and teaches the Common Core Standards.
It has 10 levels – the first 2 are significantly shorter than the other. Levels 3 – 10 take roughly 3 – 5 months each to complete on average. For kids more severely dyslexic it could take longer.
By the time they finish the 10th level, they will be reading at 9th grade level. (The Barton levels don’t correspond to school grade levels.)
Mostly likely you won’t see any improvements in standardized reading tests until your child finishes Level 3. But by the middle of Level 3 you may see a positive change in their attitude towards reading and spelling.
