How to Request Orton-Gillingham Support in Your Child's IEP

If your child has dyslexia or struggles with reading, you've probably heard about Orton-Gillingham. This structured, multisensory approach has decades of research behind it, and many parents want it written into their child's IEP. But schools don't always offer it, and the request process can feel confusing. You absolutely can advocate for Orton-Gillingham or similar evidence-based reading instruction in your IEP. While schools aren't always required to provide a specific methodology by brand name, they are generally expected to provide appropriate, research-based interventions that address your child's documented needs. Here's how to make that happen.

Why this happens

Schools often resist naming specific programs in IEPs because they prefer flexibility in choosing interventions, managing staffing, and controlling costs. Some districts lack trained Orton-Gillingham instructors or use different structured literacy programs they consider equivalent. Additionally, IEP teams sometimes focus on describing skills to target rather than prescribing how to teach them. This doesn't mean your request isn't valid—it just means you need to frame it strategically, focusing on your child's need for multisensory, structured literacy instruction rather than demanding a specific brand.

Quick action steps

1. Request a comprehensive reading evaluation that specifically assesses phonological processing, decoding, and encoding skills to document your child's need for structured literacy intervention.
2. Use language like 'multisensory, structured literacy approach based on Orton-Gillingham principles' rather than demanding 'Orton-Gillingham' by name—this gives the team flexibility while ensuring the methodology.
3. Ask what evidence-based reading programs the school currently uses for students with dyslexia and request documentation of their research base and staff training.
4. Bring research articles or position statements from organizations like the International Dyslexia Association that support structured literacy for students with dyslexia.
5. Request that the IEP specify the instructional approach (multisensory, explicit, systematic phonics instruction) and frequency (daily, in small group or 1:1 settings) rather than just listing reading as a goal area.

The deeper approach

The most effective long-term strategy is building a present levels section in the IEP that clearly documents why traditional reading instruction hasn't worked and why your child needs a specialized approach. Work with the team to include evaluation data showing specific deficits in phonological awareness, rapid naming, or orthographic processing. Then, when discussing services, frame Orton-Gillingham principles as the logical match for these documented needs. If your school uses a different structured literacy program (like Wilson, Lindamood-Bell, or Barton), ask for evidence it addresses the same components. Request that whoever delivers the intervention receives proper training and that progress monitoring happens frequently. You might also explore whether your district contracts with outside providers or allows parents to request compensatory education for past lack of appropriate instruction. According to your uploaded IEP documents, if previous reading goals haven't been met with current methods, that strengthens your case for a methodology change.

In summary

You don't need to be an expert in reading science to advocate for better instruction—you just need to connect your child's documented needs to appropriate interventions. Schools are generally expected to provide evidence-based methods for students with identified learning disabilities, and structured literacy approaches are the gold standard for dyslexia. Your next step: email your IEP case manager requesting a team meeting to discuss your child's reading instruction, specifically asking what structured literacy training staff have received and whether the current approach aligns with research on dyslexia intervention. Bring this conversation with data, not emotion, and you'll be taken seriously.