Orton-Gillingham, Spell-Links, Speech-to-Print: What’s Best for My Child?

If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or written expression, you may have come across programs like Orton-Gillingham (OG), Spell-Links, and Speech-to-Print. With so many approaches out there, parents often ask: “Which program is best?”

At NRC Therapy Services in Monmouth and Ocean County, NJ, we use evidence-based reading and language interventions tailored to each child. Let’s break down these three approaches so you can better understand them.

Orton-Gillingham (OG)

• What it is: A structured, multisensory approach that explicitly teaches the relationship between sounds and letters.

• Strengths:

  • Well-established and highly respected

  • Teaches phonics systematically, step-by-step

  • Multisensory (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)

• Limitations:

  • Traditional OG can sometimes feel rigid

  • Some children need more flexibility and application beyond drills

Spell-Links

• What it is: A newer program that connects speech sounds, spelling patterns, and meaning.

• Strengths:

  • Strong focus on how sounds map to spelling in real words

  • Integrates spelling, reading, and vocabulary

  • Encourages children to “think linguistically” about words

• Limitations:

  • Less widely used, so fewer schools are familiar with it

  • May require more intensive training for instructors

Speech-to-Print

• What it is: An approach that starts with spoken language and builds toward print, reversing the traditional print-to-speech model.

• Strengths:

  • Aligns naturally with how children learn language

  • Emphasizes phonemic awareness and speech sounds first

  • Can be highly effective for students who struggle with traditional phonics instruction

• Limitations:

  • Newer and less familiar to many educators

  • Requires consistency across instruction to be most effective

So, Which One Is Best?

The truth is: there isn’t one “best” program. What works depends on your child’s unique learning profile. Some children thrive with the structured, step-by-step Orton-Gillingham approach. Others benefit from the linguistic depth of Spell-Links or the natural flow of Speech-to-Print.

The most important factor isn’t the program itself — it’s how well it’s taught, whether it’s evidence-based, and whether the program is matched to your child’s needs.

Support in Monmouth & Ocean County, NJ

At NRC Therapy Services, we are trained in Orton-Gillingham, Spell-Links, and Speech-to-Print methods. We provide individualized literacy support to children across Belmar, Wall, Manasquan, Spring Lake, Point Pleasant, Brick, Toms River, and surrounding areas.

If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or language, we’ll help you determine the right approach — and create a plan that works.

👉 Contact NRC Therapy Services today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your child’s literacy journey.