FAQs

While a tutor generally focuses on teaching a specific subject matter, an educational therapist’s focus is broader. Educational therapists collaborate with all the significant people concerned with the student’s learning. They focus not only on remediation, but also on building underlying learning skills to help clients become more self-aware, self-reliant, efficient learners.

Differences in Training

• An educational therapist has extensive training and experience in learning disabilities and uses evidenced-based intervention strategies specific to learning differences.

• A tutor’s background does not necessarily include training in learning and memory processes; genetic and environmental triggers of learning problems; effective strategies for students with ADHD, LD, dyslexia, writing disabilities, autism, or behavioral challenges; assessments; appropriate interventions and assistive technologies; or case management. Tutors are generally skilled in a specific subject matter.

Differences in Goals and Strategies

• An educational therapist sets goals and develops a treatment plan that addresses not only academic difficulties but also psycho-educational and socioemotional aspects of life-long learning through an eclectic combination of individualized intervention strategies. Referrals are made to specialists when needed.

• A tutor frequently focuses on improving grades and commonly uses traditional teaching methods to reach academic goals.

Differences in Services Provided

• An educational therapist (ET) conducts formal and informal assessments, utilizes specific, and when appropriate, alternative teaching strategies. In addition, an ET provides case management by coordinating with the student’s team of teachers, parents, and allied professionals such as psychologists, diagnosticians, pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals

• A tutor typically provides individual assistance with homework or instruction in a specific subject matter.

Another way of describing educational therapy is that educational therapy focuses on how to learn, rather than what to learn.

Educational therapy benefits a variety of individuals. Below are some (of the many) reasons or concerns that can be supported through educational therapy:

• Connecting sounds with letters

• Learning and remembering printed words

• Comprehending what is read

• Spelling and usage

• Understanding oral or written directions

• Expressing ideas orally or in writing

• Understanding mathematical facts and/or concepts

• Executive functions- e.g., planning, prioritizing, organizing, and executing

• Trouble maintaining concentration, remembering, and/or paying attention

• Loss of self-esteem regarding school performance

• Resistance going to school or participating in normal childhood activities

• Lack of progress at school and questions about ability to learn or to benefit from school

• Extreme amount of time and parent support to get homework tasks done

• Struggles with homework and school assignments that increase as schoolwork becomes harder

• Discouragement and withdrawal

Educational Therapists do not diagnose, but we can administer formal and informal assessments that provide valuable information to inform educational therapy. If the etiology of a learning challenge is desired, we can provide referrals to allied professionals, such as neuropsychologists and developmental pediatricians. A formal evaluation is not required for students receiving educational therapy, but it can be beneficial in helping understand your child's specific strengths and challenges. With this, our treatment plan can be more tailored and targeted, possibly expediting the remediation process. It can also be useful in securing services and accommodations.

Educational therapy is more akin to a marathon than a sprint. Termination is the goal for every client. This goal is reached when the client achieves a level of autonomy that allows for the transfer of skills and processes independently. Everyone’s journey is unique.

The Associate of Educational Therapists (AET) has been advocating to have educational therapy services covered by insurance. Currently, though, it is not.