What is Educational Therapy?

What, exactly, is Educational Therapy (ET)?

Educational Therapy designs the learning process with a full consideration of the entire individual: their current abilities (data-driven), cognitive profile, and individual strengths/weaknesses. An educational therapist designs and implements individual learning plans with the sole purpose of targeting skills and gaps while also helping the student understand how they learn best and what they need to succeed. This is done through the implementation of appropriate interventions and explicit modeling of strategies which are targeted, systematic and research-based. The work of an ET is to collaborate with the student, the parents, and schools to help set goals and track progress and techniques.

What is the role of an ET?

The educational therapist uses their keen observational skills, specialized training, and both formal and informal assessments during sessions to synthesize and reconstruct the learner’s individual experience. An ET can be highly effective in suggesting instructional strategies and/or modifications for home or school. As an ET works with a learner, performance gaps may warrant the involvement of other professionals to clarify whether or not other cognitive processes may be occurring. ETs can help foster communication between parents, the school/teacher, and can also consult with other relevant Allied Professionals (APs) for additional insights. Examples of APs include: pediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, developmental optometrists, nutritionists, and audiologists.

The ET sets educational goals and executes lesson plans designed to strengthen foundational areas of learning. An ET also helps to foster a positive and supportive treatment alliance around a student with learning needs. This alliance includes a range of supports: family members, administrators, teachers, and other allied professionals (learning specialist, educational therapist, etc.). ETs help to advocate for each client’s psychoeducational and emotional needs, empower independence and foster self-confidence, growth mindset and self-awareness.

What does an ET do?

• Collaborates – ETs coordinate with other members of the treatment alliance to track performances in school, suggest strategies for support, as well as advocate for the student’s social-emotional support.
• Assesses – Helps identify and describe an individual’s strengths and weaknesses; identify how they manifest during the learning process. Create a learning plan and help family interpret/understand reports and data.
• Communicates – Sets goals and tracks progress with both informal and formal educational assessments. Shares insights via session notes, conferences, reports, and frequent communication with both parents and teachers.

What’s the difference between an ET and a tutor?

Tutors have subject matter expertise in specific academic areas, like reading, grammar, writing, spelling, or math. Tutors mainly preview and reteach concepts taught in school for reinforcement; they help students prepare for tests and impart study skills specific within a particular core discipline. Tutors often do not have the formal educational training to understand how emotional, behavioral, social, physical factors may be impacting a learner’s ability to process, retain, or apply academic content and skills.

Educational therapists have subject matter expertise (many are former classroom teachers), but also have advanced training in structured learning modalities (such as Wilson) that are designed for those with unique cognitive profiles. ETs are trained to work directly with the challenges that come with having a learning difficulty – such as dyslexia, sensory processing issues, executive functioning deficits, or delayed language development. Work done in sessions complements the academic objectives of school; however, the ET goes more in-depth with the individual to also examine/explain the way they think or behave while performing academic tasks and to teach them hacks.

What can parents do to support the process?

Supportive parents can be both curious as well as proactive in the journey of their child; they share updates or observations with their ET, ask questions a lot, and follow up at home. It is important to also model a growth mindset with your child; let’s talk openly and honestly about their dreams and validate their frustrations. Ask them how you can help, what they need from you, and offer constructive feedback.

Family members can be a source of patience, understanding, structure, and encouragement throughout the therapeutic process. Parents need to understand that some challenges a student faces, or the effects it will have on their learning, will need to be managed over the course of a lifetime – there isn’t always a quick or simple fix.

We should always encourage the child to meet and address his/her unique learning challenges with resilience, kindness, and a positive outlook.