FAQ

What is the Sonday System?
The Sonday System is a unique and individualized curriculum based on the Orton-Gillingham philosophy that aims to help students improve their reading and spelling skills. It was developed by Arlene Sonday, founding fellow and first president of the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). It is appropriate for all ages and skill levels, pre-reading through college prep. It meets the standards outlined by The National Reading Panel, The National Institutes of Health and Human Services and No Child Left Behind.

What is Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a philosophy, not a curriculum, for teaching the structure and code of the English language. The philosophy has been in use since the 1930s and the techniques are sequential, systematic, multi-sensory and cumulative. The system relies on phonics and progresses from teaching the fundamentals of word formation to advanced level word attack. The brainchild of Samuel Torrey Orton, a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist, their philosophy is based on extensive studies of children with language processing difficulties like those of dyslexia. Together they developed a teaching approach to help these children and mentored teachers accordingly.

What is Reading Therapy?
Reading Therapy is intensive, individualized, potentially long-term remediation. The focus is building fundamental skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary and comprehension.

How is progress measured?
The assessments used for the initial evaluation are re-administered every four months, and results are shared with parents and students. Session reports are e-mailed after every 4-6 lessons.

Can parents observe lessons?
Yes. We encourage parents to observe so they can better understand how their child learns, what their child is learning, and how to be a support and advocate.

Is there homework?
By request. The extra practice is extremely valuable in helping reach reading therapy goals more quickly.

What if I have to cancel?
Lessons must be canceled 48 hours in advance.