Great news - KSE OG is here!
We are currently delivering an Orton-Gillingham Literacy Intervention Program developed by Katrina Sutton based on multisensory principles. The KSE program is a derivative of the DVFS Program which is based on a study by Judith R. Birsch. The KSE program is specifically designed for Australian students, based on the Australian accent. The program is described as being for Adolescents and this term describes any student Grade 4 or above, this is because it is assumed in the Australian Curriculum that students will have these skills by Grade 4.“Grade 4 is where students make the shift from learning to read, to reading to learn (Chall, 1983).” Having said that the program has also been employed and very successful with younger children. For these students we modify the program to suit their needs.
Once identified as having challenges in reading and writing whether through school or a psychological educational assessment or just from parental concern, any adolescent student can benefit from this program. It is uniquely structured to give students access and tangible returns quickly. It builds their confidence and provides success quickly. It addresses potential anxiety and low self esteem quickly. It has built in formative, summative and diagnostic assessments that can confirm to students, teachers and parents tangible achievement. It is not onerous, does not require homework and sessions are short to ensure attention and motivation. Students are engaged through the discovery process, the instruction meets their intellectual needs, the new learning can be immediately applied and the practice is intense enough to help the student master the skills.
The program is essential for Specific Learning Disorders in Reading and Written Expression. However, it is also useful for any person struggling with language acquisition. We are currently trialling it with an ID adult and an EALD student with good results. The program is designed to be delivered explicitly and sequentially, one to one. The sessions are 30 minutes long and need to be at least twice a week to maintain momentum and consistency. Each session may cover more than one lesson, depending on each student's rate of competency. On average, it takes about 40 hours in total to deliver the whole program. The program is renowned for giving students confidence, self-esteem and metacognition of their SLD which allows them to advocate for their adjustments and improves their school performance.
The Program is in final edit and will be ready for full publication soon. This will be followed by opportunities for training in the program.
This is an excellent place to start an understanding of "Gold Standard" Literacy Instruction. I visited Bentleigh West Primary School and observed the impressive whole school approach which leaves no child behind.
https://fivefromfive.com.au/principals-and-school-leaders/
Expert and Experienced Tutoring and support for students of all ages.
ADHD, ASD, Anxiety, Depression, Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, Written Expression or Numeracy and any other learning difficulties can be helped and supported with a one to one program. Students can find their confidence and develop an identity of success which will provide a foundation for the rest of their lives.
Consultant
Katrina Sutton is a senior educator and an access and inclusion specialist. She works with students, parents, teachers and schools to develop, customise and implement learning strategies and adjustments for students.
We had a great night at Handmark
It was a great opportunity for parents to meet and chat about our experiences surrounded by the beautiful work of Nathan Grey.
Literacy Intervention
I have been doing an Orton- Gillingham Literacy Program for 8 years. and now it seems people are catching up. I did the research in 2015 and searched the world for appropriate training based on evidence. I found it in Pennsylvania and spent the next two years getting certification which required 150 hours of practical and a return visit to USA in 2018 to get the final sign off. The scope and sequence of my program is based on an IMSLEC and IDA accredited program developed by Helen Mannion and Sara Rivers in USA. A description of the principles guiding the program are below:
Multisensory Structured Language and the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach includes instruction that is:
Direct & explicit
Systematic & structured
Sequential & cumulative
Synthetic & analytic
Multisensory
Diagnostic & prescriptive
Individualised
This approach is a form of multisensory structured language instruction because students use simultaneous processing using “visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic pathways simultaneously to enhance memory and learning of written language.” Evidence-based scientific research has shown that using Orton-Gillingham approaches for individuals with dyslexia will actually restructure their brains to help them learn to read and spell.