Wilson vs Orton-Gillingham vs Ravinia: Which fits your child?

If you’ve been researching solutions for your struggling reader, you’ve probably come across programs like Wilson Reading System and Orton-Gillingham. Both are well-known, structured literacy approaches designed to support children with dyslexia and other reading challenges.

But there’s also another option: Ravinia Reading Center’s evidence-based intervention, delivered by speech-language pathologists. While all three approaches have value, understanding the differences can help you choose what’s best for your child.

What is the Wilson Reading System?

The Wilson Reading System is a structured literacy program often used in schools and tutoring centers.

• Focus: Explicit, systematic instruction in phonics and decoding.

• Strengths: Provides clear structure and repetition; widely recognized.

• Limitations: Scripted, program-based, and often not as adaptable to a child’s unique needs.

Best for: Students who thrive with structured, consistent practice and benefit from repetition.

What is Orton-Gillingham (OG)?

The Orton-Gillingham approach is one of the oldest structured literacy methods.

• Focus: Multisensory instruction using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques.

• Strengths: Flexible and individualized; foundational for many other literacy programs.

• Limitations: Effectiveness depends heavily on the teacher’s training; can vary widely in quality.

Best for: Students who respond well to multisensory learning and need a highly structured but flexible program.

How Ravinia Reading Center is different

At Ravinia Reading Center, we combine the strengths of structured literacy with a uniquely personalized, evidence-based approach.

• Delivered by experts: All instruction is led by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) trained in reading, language, and communication.

• Customized materials: Instead of relying on a single program, Ravinia clinicians create materials that fill gaps often left by Wilson or OG, using real-world, high-frequency words.

• Focus on the root cause: Intervention targets phonology, morphology, and etymology, not just practice or repetition.

• Measurable progress: We track outcomes, ensuring families see growth in fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

Best for: Children who need more than a program; they need an individualized plan designed and delivered by a clinical expert.

Comparison at a Glance

	Wilson	Orton-Gillingham	Ravinia Reading Center
Approach	Scripted, structured program	Multi-sensory, structured literacy	Personalized, evidence-based instruction
Instructor	Teachers/tutors (varies)	Teachers/tutors (quality varies)	Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
Flexibility	Limited	Moderate (depends on training)	High (customized materials)
Focus	Decoding, phonics	Multi-sensory literacy	Root causes + real-world literacy
Results	Effective with consistency	Effective with quality implementation	Tailored, measurable, clinically guided progress

Which reading program fits your child best?

• If your child benefits from scripted practice and repetition, Wilson may be a fit.

• If your child learns best through multi-sensory activities, Orton-Gillingham may be the right choice.

• If your child has tried other methods without success or needs an expert who understands reading and language at the clinical level, Ravinia Reading Center offers a unique, personalized solution.

• 
  

Take the next step

Every child’s path to reading success is different. The most important decision is finding an approach that matches your child’s needs and delivers real, lasting results.

Schedule your consultation today to learn how Ravinia’s individualized approach can help your child thrive.