Student Supports

All Grades/All Subjects

• Support with homework and projects

• Study skills

• Note taking

• Executive functioning skills are embedded into all lessons

• Social-emotional strategies embedded as needed

• Metacognition (self-awareness) focused

What is Orton Gillingham?

Orton Gillingham (OG) is an instructional approach intended primarily for use with individuals who have difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing associated with dyslexia. OG uses different senses of the student (touch, hand movements, and sensory touching) to engage all parts of the mind to enhance learning.

Orton Gillingham can be done individually or in a small group setting. In a small group setting, students are able to feed off of one another and build confidence through repetition and choral saying of letters and letter sounds.

Orton Gillingham can be run either in person or virtually. Virtually, the student would go through an interactive lesson with the tutor that would cover the same routine and procedures as a typical in-person lesson. The only difference is that in the virtual lesson, there are less tactile experiences (drawing the letters in sand, running fingers over bumpy paper when learning a new high frequency word).

What is Intensive Interaction?

Intensive Interaction is a very gentle technique used to establish and enhance social interaction skills and increase emotional wellbeing of a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It has been proven very effective with individuals with low functioning autism, when applied correctly. But any individual with ASD, no matter how far on the spectrum, can benefit from Intensive Interaction.

The sole purpose of this technique is to connect with the student on the level that is meaningful to them and simply enjoy the time with them in their world. The interaction is lead by the student. Everything that happens during the session happens on their terms and with them being in full control of the situation. The practitioner is trying to enter their world and adopt the behavior language that is recognizable by the individual with ASD. When such connection happens, the autistic person is more likely to become receptive to external input and thus the progress in both emotional and cognitive areas is more likely to occur. 

This technique was born in England in the 1980’s where Dr. Dave Hewett and the team of teachers and practitioners slowly developed and refined it through a long process of observations, trials and errors. Nowadays this technique is commonly applied as an effective autistic therapy in schools and establishments across the UK and many European countries. 

Small-group sessions and intensive courses are available in all areas. Our network of support professionals are ready to help. Let us know what you need.