Frequently Asked Questions

Educational therapy is designed to address learning and academic challenges in individuals, particularly those with learning disabilities or difficulties. The primary goal of educational therapy is to help individuals develop the skills they need to be successful in their academic pursuits.

Here are key aspects of educational therapy:

1. Individualized Approach: Educational therapists tailor their methods to the specific needs of each individual. They assess the person's strengths and weaknesses in learning and design interventions accordingly.

2. Learning Disabilities: Educational therapy is often used for individuals with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can also be beneficial for individuals with other learning challenges.

3. Multisensory Techniques: Many educational therapists use multisensory techniques, which involve engaging multiple senses (sight, sound, touch, and movement) to enhance learning. This approach can be particularly effective for individuals with learning differences.

4. Skill Development: Educational therapists work on developing various academic skills, including reading, writing, spelling, math, and organizational skills, while addressing the underlying learning difficulties. They may also address broader learning strategies, study skills, and self-advocacy.

5. Collaboration with Families, Teachers, and Other Professionals: Educational therapists often collaborate with families, teachers, and other professionals (ex., speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, occupational therapists, etc.) to create a supportive learning environment. This collaboration ensures that strategies used in therapy can be reinforced at home and in the classroom.

6. Emotional Support: Learning challenges can sometimes lead to emotional stress. Educational therapists may provide emotional support and help individuals build confidence and a positive attitude toward learning.

7. Goal-Oriented: Educational therapy typically involves setting specific, measurable goals. Progress is regularly monitored, and interventions may be adjusted based on the individual's advancements.

Educational therapists can work in various settings, including private practices, schools, learner's homes, and learning centers. They typically hold advanced degrees in education, psychology, or related fields and have specialized training in working with individuals with learning differences.

It's important to note that while educational therapy focuses on academic challenges, it can positively affect a person's overall well-being and confidence.

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Educational therapy and tutoring involve working with individuals to support their learning, but they have distinct differences in terms of goals, methods, and focus. 

Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

1. Goals and Focus:

Tutoring: Tutors typically focus on specific academic subjects or skills, such as math, reading, or writing. The goal is often to help the student better understand and master the material taught in school.

Educational Therapy: Educational therapists address a broader range of learning challenges. They may work on academic subjects and target underlying learning processes, such as reading comprehension, writing organization, and study skills. The focus is on improving overall learning and addressing learning differences or disabilities.

2. Methods and Approaches:

Tutoring: Tutors often use traditional teaching methods and focus on helping students grasp specific concepts or complete assignments. The emphasis is on subject-specific content and skill acquisition.

Educational Therapy: Educational therapists employ various specialized techniques and multisensory approaches. They may use activities, games, and exercises to target specific learning processes and adapt their methods based on the individual's unique learning style. The emphasis is on addressing the root causes of learning challenges.

3. Learning Strategies:

Tutoring: Tutors typically help students with homework, test preparation, and understanding academic content. The focus is on improving performance in specific subjects.

Educational Therapy: Educational therapists address current academic challenges and develop learning strategies, study, and self-advocacy skills. They aim to equip individuals with tools that can be applied across various subjects and situations.

4. Scope of Support:

Tutoring: Tutors often provide short-term assistance for specific subjects or assignments. The support is more immediate and subject-specific.

Educational Therapy: Educational therapy is often a more comprehensive and longer-term intervention. It addresses underlying learning difficulties and focuses on building foundational skills that extend beyond immediate academic needs.

5. Learners Served:

Tutoring: Tutors commonly work with students who need help with specific subjects or assignments, regardless of their learning differences.

Educational Therapy: Educational therapists often work with individuals who have been diagnosed with learning differences or disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or dysgraphia. They may also work with those experiencing general learning challenges.

While educational therapy and tutoring aim to support learning, educational therapy is a more comprehensive and individualized intervention that addresses underlying learning processes and challenges, often for individuals with diagnosed learning differences. Tutors, on the other hand, typically provide subject-specific assistance to help students grasp particular academic content.

The duration of educational therapy varies based on individual factors such as the nature and severity of learning challenges, the learner's mindset towards educational therapy, the frequency of sessions, and the specific goals set for intervention. Consistency in attendance, collaboration with other professionals, and support at home and school also contribute to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the educational therapy process. Educational therapy is a personalized process, and the length of time it takes to see meaningful progress can differ from person to person. For most individuals, educational therapy is a long-term intervention spanning several years. We will move as quickly as possible but as slowly as we must to establish accurate, efficient, and lasting skills the learner can rely on. 

Explaining educational therapy to your child simply and positively can help them understand and feel comfortable with the concept. Here's a suggested approach:

1. Start with a Positive Tone: Begin the conversation by expressing how much you care about them and their learning. Emphasize that everyone learns differently, and there are special helpers who can make learning even more enjoyable

2. Use Relatable Examples: Think of the educational therapist as your personal coach for learning. They watch how you play the learning game, see where you're super strong, and help you get even better at the things that are a bit tricky.

3. Highlight Strengths and Areas for Growth: Talk about their strengths in certain areas of learning and how the educational therapist is there to help them grow in the things that are tricky. Mention that the coach will focus on the areas that might be a bit tricky right now, turning challenges into opportunities for improvement.

4. Make it a Team Effort: Emphasize that everyone is working together as a team—families, teachers, and the educational therapist—to help them do their absolute best in school. Use phrases like, "It's like having a team of coaches helping you grow and succeed!"

5. Encourage Questions: Let your child know that it's okay to ask questions and share any feelings they might have about educational therapy. Reassure them that this is all about making learning more enjoyable and helping them shine in school.

6. Celebrate Progress: Discuss how, just like in a video game, they'll be reaching new levels of learning and feeling proud of their progress. Reinforce the idea that the educational therapist is there to celebrate their successes along the way.

Remember to keep the conversation age-appropriate and tailored to your child's unique personality and interests. Creating a positive and open dialogue can help them feel more comfortable and excited about the idea of educational therapy.

Educational Therapists DO NOT diagnose or administer cognitive, intelligence, or psychological tests. Diagnosis is generally within the purview of licensed professionals such as psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other healthcare providers.

Educational therapists are trained to work with individuals who may be experiencing learning challenges, but their role is more focused on assessing specific academic and learning needs, designing interventions, and providing targeted support. They collaborate with other professionals, such as psychologists or special education specialists, who can diagnose learning disabilities or other conditions.

If you suspect a learning disability or another developmental concern, it is recommended that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional. A comprehensive assessment by a licensed psychologist or other specialists can provide a formal diagnosis, identify specific strengths and challenges, and guide the development of an appropriate intervention plan. This process may involve a variety of assessments, including educational, psychological, and medical evaluations.

Educational therapists can play a valuable role in implementing interventions based on recommendations from diagnostic assessments, tailoring their approaches to meet the individual's needs. However, they typically collaborate with, rather than as a substitute for, professionals responsible for making formal diagnoses.

Unfortunately, educational therapy is not currently covered by insurance. Educational therapists do not have licensure in the state of California, therefore, there are no insurance codes at this time. 

Sounds In Syllables (S.I.S.) is an academic language training program rooted in research. It is designed for learners who find decoding and spelling challenging. S.I.S. assumes nothing about what the learner already knows and provides an opportunity to start the reading and spelling process over from the very beginning.

Based on principles of neuroplasticity, the procedures in S.I.S. build new, reliable behaviors that are accurate, automatic, habitual, and efficient. The goal is to forever change how learners approach reading and spelling tasks throughout their lives.