Online Dyslexia Tutoring: Orton-Gillingham and How to Choose

Online dyslexia tutoring explained: what Orton-Gillingham is, what certification levels mean, what the evidence says, costs, and what to ask a tutor.

Joey Moshinsky
Co-Founder of Tutero

Online Dyslexia Tutoring: Orton-Gillingham and How to Choose

Online dyslexia tutoring explained: what Orton-Gillingham is, what certification levels mean, what the evidence says, costs, and what to ask a tutor.

Joey Moshinsky
Co-Founder of Tutero

If your child has dyslexia, or you suspect it, you will quickly hear two words: Orton-Gillingham. You will also find that a good specialist nearby can be hard to book. Online dyslexia tutoring widens the choice, but it also makes it harder to tell what you are getting. This guide explains what the research and the professional bodies say good dyslexia instruction looks like, what Orton-Gillingham is and what its certification levels mean, how online sessions work, what to ask before you hire anyone, and what support your child's school must provide.

Tutero is an online tutoring provider. This guide draws on published guidance from the International Dyslexia Association, the Orton-Gillingham Academy, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education, as at October 2026.

Quick answer: what should online dyslexia tutoring include?

Look for explicit, systematic teaching of how sounds and letters work, delivered one-on-one, at least twice a week, by someone trained in a structured literacy approach such as Orton-Gillingham. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) says most people with dyslexia need a teacher, tutor or therapist specially trained in a multisensory, structured language approach, and that many need one-on-one help. Its guidance for parents says sessions should be at least one hour, twice a week.

Key takeaways

  • Dyslexia is lifelong, and instruction helps. IDA says that with proper help, many people with dyslexia learn to read and write well.
  • Orton-Gillingham is an approach, not a program. It is direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic and prescriptive.
  • Training claims vary. The Orton-Gillingham Academy warns that the preparation of people who call themselves "OG trained" varies significantly.
  • Plan for the long haul. IDA says reaching independence could take two to three years or more.
A young child at a dining table lining up wooden letter tiles beside a tray of sand used for tracing letters
Multisensory practice, such as tracing letters in sand while saying their sounds, is a core part of the Orton-Gillingham approach.

What is the Orton-Gillingham approach?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy describes Orton-Gillingham (OG) as "a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy" to people for whom reading, writing and spelling do not come easily, such as those with dyslexia. It grew from the work of neuropsychiatrist Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, who published instructional materials from the 1930s.

The Academy's published principles describe what an OG lesson should feel like:

  • Diagnostic and prescriptive: the tutor watches every response and plans the next lesson from it.
  • Individualized: lessons start at the student's current level and move at their pace.
  • Simultaneous multisensory: hearing, seeing and movement are used together, such as saying a sound while writing its letter.
  • Structured, sequential and cumulative, but flexible: lessons move from simple, well-learned material to more complex elements and keep spiraling back.
  • Emotionally sound: the student succeeds regularly, which builds confidence and trust.

The Academy stresses that OG is "an approach, not a method, program, system or technique". It says the most common pattern is one-on-one, with at least two sessions a week of 40 to 60 minutes on non-consecutive days.

What is the difference between Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy?

Structured Literacy is the wider category; Orton-Gillingham is one approach within it. IDA adopted "Structured Literacy" as an umbrella term for all approaches to reading instruction that meet its Knowledge and Practice Standards, and says it is "not designed to replace Orton Gillingham". IDA lists the elements of Structured Literacy as phonology, sound-symbol association, syllables, morphology, syntax and semantics, taught explicitly and systematically. When you speak to tutors, you may hear Structured Literacy, Orton-Gillingham, multisensory or explicit phonics; IDA treats these as names for the same kind of instruction.

Does Orton-Gillingham work?

The research on Orton-Gillingham itself is mixed. A 2021 meta-analysis in the journal Exceptional Children found that Orton-Gillingham interventions did not statistically significantly improve foundational reading skills, although the average effect was positive, and the authors called for more high-quality research. A 2010 What Works Clearinghouse review found no studies of unbranded Orton-Gillingham interventions that met its standards, so it could not draw conclusions either way.

That is not the same as evidence that it doesn't work. IDA says Structured Literacy, the broader family OG belongs to, is effective for students with dyslexia and for all readers. The National Institutes of Health says teachers with special training provide the most effective instruction, that it should be intensive, and that earlier help brings better results. In our view, what matters most is explicit, systematic instruction delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with, whatever the label.

What do Orton-Gillingham certification levels mean?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy certifies practitioners at several levels; it sets standards and reviews applications, while its Fellows provide the training. These are the Academy's minimum requirements:

Classroom Educator is for general classrooms; Associate is for work with struggling readers one-to-one or in groups; Clinical follows Associate; Fellows train other practitioners.

OGA level Coursework Supervised practicum
Classroom Educator 30 hours 50 hours over 8 months
Associate 70 hours 100 lessons over 8 months
Clinical (formerly Certified) 170 hours in total 200 more lessons over at least 2 academic years (300 in total)
Fellow 260 hours in total 600 hours in total

The Academy says the right starting point for one-to-one work with struggling readers is the Associate level. It also warns that "the quality and adequacy of preparation and experience" of people who describe themselves as Orton-Gillingham trained "vary significantly", and that parents can email the Academy for a list of certified members in their area.

How does online dyslexia tutoring work?

A live online lesson replaces the shared table with a shared screen. In a good session you should see the same ingredients IDA and the Academy describe, adapted for video:

  • Live, not recorded: one tutor and one child on video, so the tutor can hear every sound and correct it straight away. IDA says students with dyslexia need structured practice with immediate, corrective feedback.
  • Multisensory on screen and on paper: sound and letter work on a shared whiteboard or digital letter tiles, while your child writes, traces or builds words with real materials at home.
  • A clear sequence: each lesson reviews earlier skills before adding a new one, rather than jumping between worksheets.
  • Reading real text: time in every reading session to read connected text aloud, which builds accuracy and fluency.

IDA and the Academy publish no guidance on whether online lessons are better or worse than in person. In our view, online works well for many children once the routine is set, especially when it means a better-trained tutor and more sessions each week. Very young children may need a parent nearby for the first few lessons.

A child lying on their bed reading a book aloud with a finger under the line, a dog resting beside them
Reading connected text aloud, with immediate feedback, builds accuracy and fluency.

How much does a dyslexia tutor cost?

No national body publishes a typical price. The Orton-Gillingham Academy says it does not set tutorial fees and that fees vary from area to area. IDA says fees vary from state to state and depend on the professional's qualifications and expertise. What you will pay depends on:

What affects cost Why it matters
Training level More coursework and supervised practice, such as Clinical or Fellow level, usually means higher fees
Sessions per week IDA recommends at least two one-hour sessions a week, and more where possible
How long you need help IDA says instruction may continue for two to three years or more
Missed-session rules IDA notes some professionals charge for missed or late-canceled sessions
Evaluation A diagnosis needs a comprehensive evaluation, which is a separate cost unless your school provides one

Ask every tutor for the hourly rate, the recommended number of sessions per week, and the cancellation policy before you start. Depending on your state and insurance, evaluations or tutoring are sometimes covered or partly covered.

What questions should I ask a dyslexia tutor?

IDA suggests four questions for any professional who will work with your child:

  1. What services do you provide?
  2. What is the depth of your experience and training, including content knowledge and supervised practicum?
  3. How do you establish measurable goals for your students?
  4. What instructional strategies and programs do you use to plan and deliver instruction?

IDA also suggests asking for documentation of training levels completed and references, and says you should feel you can build a good working relationship with the person, whatever their credentials. You can ask any tutor for documentation of their background check. For online tutoring, add one more: can I sit in on the first lesson?

Can my child get dyslexia support through school?

Yes. Federal special education rules name dyslexia as an example of a specific learning disability. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an individualized education program (IEP) is the main way a public school provides a free appropriate public education to an eligible child. Section 504 also requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education to qualified students with a disability. IDA says parents have the right to request a comprehensive evaluation under IDEA at any time. Outside tutoring works best alongside school support; IDA says it helps when outside specialists work closely with classroom teachers.

How can Tutero help a child with dyslexia?

Tutero offers live 1-on-1 online tutoring for elementary to 12th grade. Tutors start with diagnostic tools to find where reading breaks down, then plan lessons from there. Lessons start from US$45 an hour, with no contracts. We don't describe our tutors as Orton-Gillingham certified; if OGA certification is essential for your child, the Academy can send you a list of certified members. Learn more about dyslexia tutoring with Tutero, our English and reading tutoring, or US pricing.

Related guides

What else do parents ask about online dyslexia tutoring?

Cost, frequency and evidence, in brief. To talk about your child's needs, see dyslexia tutoring with Tutero.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

If your child has dyslexia, or you suspect it, you will quickly hear two words: Orton-Gillingham. You will also find that a good specialist nearby can be hard to book. Online dyslexia tutoring widens the choice, but it also makes it harder to tell what you are getting. This guide explains what the research and the professional bodies say good dyslexia instruction looks like, what Orton-Gillingham is and what its certification levels mean, how online sessions work, what to ask before you hire anyone, and what support your child's school must provide.

Tutero is an online tutoring provider. This guide draws on published guidance from the International Dyslexia Association, the Orton-Gillingham Academy, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education, as at October 2026.

Quick answer: what should online dyslexia tutoring include?

Look for explicit, systematic teaching of how sounds and letters work, delivered one-on-one, at least twice a week, by someone trained in a structured literacy approach such as Orton-Gillingham. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) says most people with dyslexia need a teacher, tutor or therapist specially trained in a multisensory, structured language approach, and that many need one-on-one help. Its guidance for parents says sessions should be at least one hour, twice a week.

Key takeaways

  • Dyslexia is lifelong, and instruction helps. IDA says that with proper help, many people with dyslexia learn to read and write well.
  • Orton-Gillingham is an approach, not a program. It is direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic and prescriptive.
  • Training claims vary. The Orton-Gillingham Academy warns that the preparation of people who call themselves "OG trained" varies significantly.
  • Plan for the long haul. IDA says reaching independence could take two to three years or more.
A young child at a dining table lining up wooden letter tiles beside a tray of sand used for tracing letters
Multisensory practice, such as tracing letters in sand while saying their sounds, is a core part of the Orton-Gillingham approach.

What is the Orton-Gillingham approach?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy describes Orton-Gillingham (OG) as "a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy" to people for whom reading, writing and spelling do not come easily, such as those with dyslexia. It grew from the work of neuropsychiatrist Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, who published instructional materials from the 1930s.

The Academy's published principles describe what an OG lesson should feel like:

  • Diagnostic and prescriptive: the tutor watches every response and plans the next lesson from it.
  • Individualized: lessons start at the student's current level and move at their pace.
  • Simultaneous multisensory: hearing, seeing and movement are used together, such as saying a sound while writing its letter.
  • Structured, sequential and cumulative, but flexible: lessons move from simple, well-learned material to more complex elements and keep spiraling back.
  • Emotionally sound: the student succeeds regularly, which builds confidence and trust.

The Academy stresses that OG is "an approach, not a method, program, system or technique". It says the most common pattern is one-on-one, with at least two sessions a week of 40 to 60 minutes on non-consecutive days.

What is the difference between Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy?

Structured Literacy is the wider category; Orton-Gillingham is one approach within it. IDA adopted "Structured Literacy" as an umbrella term for all approaches to reading instruction that meet its Knowledge and Practice Standards, and says it is "not designed to replace Orton Gillingham". IDA lists the elements of Structured Literacy as phonology, sound-symbol association, syllables, morphology, syntax and semantics, taught explicitly and systematically. When you speak to tutors, you may hear Structured Literacy, Orton-Gillingham, multisensory or explicit phonics; IDA treats these as names for the same kind of instruction.

Does Orton-Gillingham work?

The research on Orton-Gillingham itself is mixed. A 2021 meta-analysis in the journal Exceptional Children found that Orton-Gillingham interventions did not statistically significantly improve foundational reading skills, although the average effect was positive, and the authors called for more high-quality research. A 2010 What Works Clearinghouse review found no studies of unbranded Orton-Gillingham interventions that met its standards, so it could not draw conclusions either way.

That is not the same as evidence that it doesn't work. IDA says Structured Literacy, the broader family OG belongs to, is effective for students with dyslexia and for all readers. The National Institutes of Health says teachers with special training provide the most effective instruction, that it should be intensive, and that earlier help brings better results. In our view, what matters most is explicit, systematic instruction delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with, whatever the label.

What do Orton-Gillingham certification levels mean?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy certifies practitioners at several levels; it sets standards and reviews applications, while its Fellows provide the training. These are the Academy's minimum requirements:

Classroom Educator is for general classrooms; Associate is for work with struggling readers one-to-one or in groups; Clinical follows Associate; Fellows train other practitioners.

OGA level Coursework Supervised practicum
Classroom Educator 30 hours 50 hours over 8 months
Associate 70 hours 100 lessons over 8 months
Clinical (formerly Certified) 170 hours in total 200 more lessons over at least 2 academic years (300 in total)
Fellow 260 hours in total 600 hours in total

The Academy says the right starting point for one-to-one work with struggling readers is the Associate level. It also warns that "the quality and adequacy of preparation and experience" of people who describe themselves as Orton-Gillingham trained "vary significantly", and that parents can email the Academy for a list of certified members in their area.

How does online dyslexia tutoring work?

A live online lesson replaces the shared table with a shared screen. In a good session you should see the same ingredients IDA and the Academy describe, adapted for video:

  • Live, not recorded: one tutor and one child on video, so the tutor can hear every sound and correct it straight away. IDA says students with dyslexia need structured practice with immediate, corrective feedback.
  • Multisensory on screen and on paper: sound and letter work on a shared whiteboard or digital letter tiles, while your child writes, traces or builds words with real materials at home.
  • A clear sequence: each lesson reviews earlier skills before adding a new one, rather than jumping between worksheets.
  • Reading real text: time in every reading session to read connected text aloud, which builds accuracy and fluency.

IDA and the Academy publish no guidance on whether online lessons are better or worse than in person. In our view, online works well for many children once the routine is set, especially when it means a better-trained tutor and more sessions each week. Very young children may need a parent nearby for the first few lessons.

A child lying on their bed reading a book aloud with a finger under the line, a dog resting beside them
Reading connected text aloud, with immediate feedback, builds accuracy and fluency.

How much does a dyslexia tutor cost?

No national body publishes a typical price. The Orton-Gillingham Academy says it does not set tutorial fees and that fees vary from area to area. IDA says fees vary from state to state and depend on the professional's qualifications and expertise. What you will pay depends on:

What affects cost Why it matters
Training level More coursework and supervised practice, such as Clinical or Fellow level, usually means higher fees
Sessions per week IDA recommends at least two one-hour sessions a week, and more where possible
How long you need help IDA says instruction may continue for two to three years or more
Missed-session rules IDA notes some professionals charge for missed or late-canceled sessions
Evaluation A diagnosis needs a comprehensive evaluation, which is a separate cost unless your school provides one

Ask every tutor for the hourly rate, the recommended number of sessions per week, and the cancellation policy before you start. Depending on your state and insurance, evaluations or tutoring are sometimes covered or partly covered.

What questions should I ask a dyslexia tutor?

IDA suggests four questions for any professional who will work with your child:

  1. What services do you provide?
  2. What is the depth of your experience and training, including content knowledge and supervised practicum?
  3. How do you establish measurable goals for your students?
  4. What instructional strategies and programs do you use to plan and deliver instruction?

IDA also suggests asking for documentation of training levels completed and references, and says you should feel you can build a good working relationship with the person, whatever their credentials. You can ask any tutor for documentation of their background check. For online tutoring, add one more: can I sit in on the first lesson?

Can my child get dyslexia support through school?

Yes. Federal special education rules name dyslexia as an example of a specific learning disability. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an individualized education program (IEP) is the main way a public school provides a free appropriate public education to an eligible child. Section 504 also requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education to qualified students with a disability. IDA says parents have the right to request a comprehensive evaluation under IDEA at any time. Outside tutoring works best alongside school support; IDA says it helps when outside specialists work closely with classroom teachers.

How can Tutero help a child with dyslexia?

Tutero offers live 1-on-1 online tutoring for elementary to 12th grade. Tutors start with diagnostic tools to find where reading breaks down, then plan lessons from there. Lessons start from US$45 an hour, with no contracts. We don't describe our tutors as Orton-Gillingham certified; if OGA certification is essential for your child, the Academy can send you a list of certified members. Learn more about dyslexia tutoring with Tutero, our English and reading tutoring, or US pricing.

Related guides

What else do parents ask about online dyslexia tutoring?

Cost, frequency and evidence, in brief. To talk about your child's needs, see dyslexia tutoring with Tutero.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

Ask every tutor the same question: what is the depth of your training, including supervised practice?

If your child has dyslexia, or you suspect it, you will quickly hear two words: Orton-Gillingham. You will also find that a good specialist nearby can be hard to book. Online dyslexia tutoring widens the choice, but it also makes it harder to tell what you are getting. This guide explains what the research and the professional bodies say good dyslexia instruction looks like, what Orton-Gillingham is and what its certification levels mean, how online sessions work, what to ask before you hire anyone, and what support your child's school must provide.

Tutero is an online tutoring provider. This guide draws on published guidance from the International Dyslexia Association, the Orton-Gillingham Academy, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education, as at October 2026.

Quick answer: what should online dyslexia tutoring include?

Look for explicit, systematic teaching of how sounds and letters work, delivered one-on-one, at least twice a week, by someone trained in a structured literacy approach such as Orton-Gillingham. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) says most people with dyslexia need a teacher, tutor or therapist specially trained in a multisensory, structured language approach, and that many need one-on-one help. Its guidance for parents says sessions should be at least one hour, twice a week.

Key takeaways

  • Dyslexia is lifelong, and instruction helps. IDA says that with proper help, many people with dyslexia learn to read and write well.
  • Orton-Gillingham is an approach, not a program. It is direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic and prescriptive.
  • Training claims vary. The Orton-Gillingham Academy warns that the preparation of people who call themselves "OG trained" varies significantly.
  • Plan for the long haul. IDA says reaching independence could take two to three years or more.
A young child at a dining table lining up wooden letter tiles beside a tray of sand used for tracing letters
Multisensory practice, such as tracing letters in sand while saying their sounds, is a core part of the Orton-Gillingham approach.

What is the Orton-Gillingham approach?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy describes Orton-Gillingham (OG) as "a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy" to people for whom reading, writing and spelling do not come easily, such as those with dyslexia. It grew from the work of neuropsychiatrist Samuel Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, who published instructional materials from the 1930s.

The Academy's published principles describe what an OG lesson should feel like:

  • Diagnostic and prescriptive: the tutor watches every response and plans the next lesson from it.
  • Individualized: lessons start at the student's current level and move at their pace.
  • Simultaneous multisensory: hearing, seeing and movement are used together, such as saying a sound while writing its letter.
  • Structured, sequential and cumulative, but flexible: lessons move from simple, well-learned material to more complex elements and keep spiraling back.
  • Emotionally sound: the student succeeds regularly, which builds confidence and trust.

The Academy stresses that OG is "an approach, not a method, program, system or technique". It says the most common pattern is one-on-one, with at least two sessions a week of 40 to 60 minutes on non-consecutive days.

What is the difference between Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy?

Structured Literacy is the wider category; Orton-Gillingham is one approach within it. IDA adopted "Structured Literacy" as an umbrella term for all approaches to reading instruction that meet its Knowledge and Practice Standards, and says it is "not designed to replace Orton Gillingham". IDA lists the elements of Structured Literacy as phonology, sound-symbol association, syllables, morphology, syntax and semantics, taught explicitly and systematically. When you speak to tutors, you may hear Structured Literacy, Orton-Gillingham, multisensory or explicit phonics; IDA treats these as names for the same kind of instruction.

Does Orton-Gillingham work?

The research on Orton-Gillingham itself is mixed. A 2021 meta-analysis in the journal Exceptional Children found that Orton-Gillingham interventions did not statistically significantly improve foundational reading skills, although the average effect was positive, and the authors called for more high-quality research. A 2010 What Works Clearinghouse review found no studies of unbranded Orton-Gillingham interventions that met its standards, so it could not draw conclusions either way.

That is not the same as evidence that it doesn't work. IDA says Structured Literacy, the broader family OG belongs to, is effective for students with dyslexia and for all readers. The National Institutes of Health says teachers with special training provide the most effective instruction, that it should be intensive, and that earlier help brings better results. In our view, what matters most is explicit, systematic instruction delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with, whatever the label.

What do Orton-Gillingham certification levels mean?

The Orton-Gillingham Academy certifies practitioners at several levels; it sets standards and reviews applications, while its Fellows provide the training. These are the Academy's minimum requirements:

Classroom Educator is for general classrooms; Associate is for work with struggling readers one-to-one or in groups; Clinical follows Associate; Fellows train other practitioners.

OGA level Coursework Supervised practicum
Classroom Educator 30 hours 50 hours over 8 months
Associate 70 hours 100 lessons over 8 months
Clinical (formerly Certified) 170 hours in total 200 more lessons over at least 2 academic years (300 in total)
Fellow 260 hours in total 600 hours in total

The Academy says the right starting point for one-to-one work with struggling readers is the Associate level. It also warns that "the quality and adequacy of preparation and experience" of people who describe themselves as Orton-Gillingham trained "vary significantly", and that parents can email the Academy for a list of certified members in their area.

How does online dyslexia tutoring work?

A live online lesson replaces the shared table with a shared screen. In a good session you should see the same ingredients IDA and the Academy describe, adapted for video:

  • Live, not recorded: one tutor and one child on video, so the tutor can hear every sound and correct it straight away. IDA says students with dyslexia need structured practice with immediate, corrective feedback.
  • Multisensory on screen and on paper: sound and letter work on a shared whiteboard or digital letter tiles, while your child writes, traces or builds words with real materials at home.
  • A clear sequence: each lesson reviews earlier skills before adding a new one, rather than jumping between worksheets.
  • Reading real text: time in every reading session to read connected text aloud, which builds accuracy and fluency.

IDA and the Academy publish no guidance on whether online lessons are better or worse than in person. In our view, online works well for many children once the routine is set, especially when it means a better-trained tutor and more sessions each week. Very young children may need a parent nearby for the first few lessons.

A child lying on their bed reading a book aloud with a finger under the line, a dog resting beside them
Reading connected text aloud, with immediate feedback, builds accuracy and fluency.

How much does a dyslexia tutor cost?

No national body publishes a typical price. The Orton-Gillingham Academy says it does not set tutorial fees and that fees vary from area to area. IDA says fees vary from state to state and depend on the professional's qualifications and expertise. What you will pay depends on:

What affects cost Why it matters
Training level More coursework and supervised practice, such as Clinical or Fellow level, usually means higher fees
Sessions per week IDA recommends at least two one-hour sessions a week, and more where possible
How long you need help IDA says instruction may continue for two to three years or more
Missed-session rules IDA notes some professionals charge for missed or late-canceled sessions
Evaluation A diagnosis needs a comprehensive evaluation, which is a separate cost unless your school provides one

Ask every tutor for the hourly rate, the recommended number of sessions per week, and the cancellation policy before you start. Depending on your state and insurance, evaluations or tutoring are sometimes covered or partly covered.

What questions should I ask a dyslexia tutor?

IDA suggests four questions for any professional who will work with your child:

  1. What services do you provide?
  2. What is the depth of your experience and training, including content knowledge and supervised practicum?
  3. How do you establish measurable goals for your students?
  4. What instructional strategies and programs do you use to plan and deliver instruction?

IDA also suggests asking for documentation of training levels completed and references, and says you should feel you can build a good working relationship with the person, whatever their credentials. You can ask any tutor for documentation of their background check. For online tutoring, add one more: can I sit in on the first lesson?

Can my child get dyslexia support through school?

Yes. Federal special education rules name dyslexia as an example of a specific learning disability. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an individualized education program (IEP) is the main way a public school provides a free appropriate public education to an eligible child. Section 504 also requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education to qualified students with a disability. IDA says parents have the right to request a comprehensive evaluation under IDEA at any time. Outside tutoring works best alongside school support; IDA says it helps when outside specialists work closely with classroom teachers.

How can Tutero help a child with dyslexia?

Tutero offers live 1-on-1 online tutoring for elementary to 12th grade. Tutors start with diagnostic tools to find where reading breaks down, then plan lessons from there. Lessons start from US$45 an hour, with no contracts. We don't describe our tutors as Orton-Gillingham certified; if OGA certification is essential for your child, the Academy can send you a list of certified members. Learn more about dyslexia tutoring with Tutero, our English and reading tutoring, or US pricing.

Related guides

What else do parents ask about online dyslexia tutoring?

Cost, frequency and evidence, in brief. To talk about your child's needs, see dyslexia tutoring with Tutero.

Whatever the label, look for explicit, systematic teaching of sounds and letters, delivered often enough, by someone your child connects with.

Ask every tutor the same question: what is the depth of your training, including supervised practice?

Does online dyslexia tutoring work?
plus

It can, if the instruction is right. IDA says most people with dyslexia need help from someone trained in a multisensory, structured language approach, often one-on-one, with immediate corrective feedback. Neither IDA nor the Orton-Gillingham Academy says this must happen in person. Live online lessons can deliver it, with a parent nearby for younger children.

How much does a dyslexia tutor cost?
plus

No national body publishes a typical price. The Orton-Gillingham Academy says it does not set fees and that they vary by area, and IDA says fees vary by state and by the tutor's qualifications. Ask for the hourly rate, sessions per week and cancellation policy. Tutero's 1-on-1 online tutoring starts from US$45 an hour.

How much does an Orton-Gillingham tutor cost?
plus

Rates are set by each tutor, not by the Orton-Gillingham Academy, which says fee schedules vary from area to area. Training level affects price: Associate, Clinical and Fellow levels require increasing amounts of coursework and supervised practice.

What are the drawbacks of Orton-Gillingham?
plus

The main ones are time and evidence. It works best at least twice a week, often for years. A 2021 meta-analysis found no statistically significant improvement in foundational skills, though the average effect was positive, and called for more research. Training quality also varies between tutors.

How often should a child with dyslexia have tutoring?
plus

IDA says one-hour sessions should happen at least twice a week, and ideally four or five times a week, until the student reaches a level of independence that fits their age and ability. The Orton-Gillingham Academy says the most common pattern is two sessions a week of 40 to 60 minutes.

Can you overcome dyslexia?
plus

Dyslexia is lifelong, but it does not have to hold a child back. IDA says that with proper help, many people with dyslexia can learn to read and write well, and that early identification and treatment are key. The National Institutes of Health says that with proper instruction, people can learn to read and improve fluency and comprehension.

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