Sam’s Dyslexia Breakthrough: OG Tutoring That Actually Works
In just three months, Sam—an 11-year-old with dyslexia—gained a full grade level in reading and spelling through virtual OG tutoring. Sam’s story shows what’s possible with the right academic support.
Student Profile
- Name: Sam (pseudonym)
- Age: 11 (at intake)
- Grade Level: 5th grade
- Duration of Support: 1 year
- Frequency: 2–3 sessions per week
- Format: Virtual sessions
- Focus Areas: Orton-Gillingham tutoring, confidence-building
Background
When Sam’s parents first reached out, they were running out of options. Their daughter had recently been diagnosed with dyslexia, and despite having an IEP in place, they felt like she wasn’t making any meaningful progress. Sam’s teachers meant well, but no one seemed to know how to actually teach her in a way she could understand.
Sam was three grade levels behind in reading and spelling. She exhibited classic signs of work avoidance. Her parents were running out of energy and options. They began to fear that their daughter would continue to fall behind and lose her confidence.
Challenges
Like many bright kids with dyslexia, Sam had spent years struggling without much of an idea as to why. Reading and spelling were significantly harder for her than for her peers. Sam began to believe there was something wrong with her or that she simply was not smart.
After reviewing her earlier academic evaluation and administering our own assessments, the data confirmed what his parents sensed: Sam had dyslexia and needed targeted Orton-Gillingham tutoring, not generic reading help.
Our Work Together
We began working virtually as Sam entered 5th grade, meeting 2–3 times per week. Each OG tutoring session was carefully designed to help her build reading and spelling skills in a way that made sense to her dyslexic brain, while keeping things fun, light, and empowering.
A typical Orton-Gillingham session included:
- A quick warm-up with familiar letter sounds
- A short lesson introducing a new pattern or sound
- Practice blending and spelling real words
- A few “red words” (non-phonetic words) to build confidence
- Fluency practice using short, readable texts
- A game Sam picked to end on a high note
Behind the scenes, we regularly collaborated with Sam’s school team and shared monthly progress updates with her parents. Everyone was looped in, and everyone could see the growth Sam was making.
The Transformation
In just three months, Sam gained a full grade level in reading and spelling — a pace that surprised even her parents and teachers. But just as important was the emotional shift: Sam began to grow a stronger sense of competence and confidence.
| Area | Before Strive | After Strive |
| Reading & Spelling Level | 3 grade levels behind | Gained 1+ grade level |
| Confidence | Avoidant, anxious, discouraged | Proud, motivated, willing to try |
| Spelling Inventory | Failing | Acing complex word patterns |
| School Engagement | Frustrated and withdrawn | Actively participating |
What the Parent Says
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Brian to support my daughter, who has dyslexia, and I couldn’t be more impressed. He is incredibly patient, engaging, and knows how to make learning fun. What used to be a struggle has turned into something she enjoys, thanks to Brian’s creative approach and understanding of her unique needs. I highly recommend Brian for anyone looking for a tutor who is not only skilled but also truly cares about their students’ success.”
Takeaways
If you’re a parent feeling burnt out, you don’t have to go at this alone. You have enough on your plate. You no longer need to be your child’s tutor, advocate, project manager, and IEP coordinator. Let us take this off your plate so you can focus on and enjoy being their parent.
Sam’s story is proof that with the right Orton-Gillingham tutoring, students with dyslexia can catch up and become confident readers. When instruction is personalized and research-backed, struggling readers can improve their skills and their confidence.
Let’s Talk About What’s Possible for Your Child
If your child is struggling with reading or spelling, early, targeted intervention makes all the difference. At Strive, we specialize in one-on-one instruction that’s built for how your child learns, offering services both in-person and Denver and virtual wherever, with consistent communication, real progress updates, and zero guesswork.
We make OG tutoring as easy as possible, seamlessly working with your schedule to help your child make significant progress.
You don’t have to navigate your child’s learning challenges alone. Let’s talk about how we can support your child’s growth—academically and emotionally. If you’re ready to see what’s possible for your child, inquire today.
