Why Choose Educational Therapy?
Not all learners learn the same, we all have different strengths and stretches. Unfortunately, not all educators are trained in addressing a variety of learning differences. This leaves a gap for some of our learners in the classroom. In comes educational therapy. Educational therapy is a service provided by an individual that has education, training, and experience in a variety of learning disabilities and intervention strategies to address learning differences. Educational therapists attend not only to the academics but also to the social and emotional needs of the learner.
Still curious if Educational Therapy is the right choice for your learner? Read on!
What is Educational Therapy?
In short, educational therapy is a service provided by an individual that has education, training, and experience in a variety of learning disabilities and intervention strategies to address learning differences. Educational therapists work with neurodivergent and neurotypical learners.
Why is Educational Therapy important?
- Not all teachers have in-depth training in teaching neurodivergent learners: Unfortunately, through attaining a Bachelor of Education and becoming a certified teacher, teachers are not supplied with in-depth information on a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. For example, even after graduating, becoming certified, and years in the classroom, until I pursued further graduate studies in Inclusive Education, I was not taught about sensory processing disorder, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.
- Sense of Self: When our learners are in school struggling, over time this can begin to affect their self-confidence, behaviour, and engagement. Some students become overly anxious at school, some shut down, and some act out. These are unfortunate responses to a school environment that at the moment, for whatever reason, cannot meet the needs of your learner. In saying this, I want to reassure you that teachers are doing the best they can and I feel don’t get enough credit! There is just a larger system at play.
- Beyond any single skill: When we think about our learners, we want to address them from a whole-child approach. They are the biggest part of their learning journey. Educational Therapy focuses not only on addressing the learning piece that an individual is struggling with but also on skills to help them become more self-aware, self-reliant, and efficient learners.
How does Educational Therapy work?
Consultation: Generally, educational therapy begins with a consultation. Often times consultations are free and provide a chance for the educational therapist and the caregiver and/or child and caregiver to see if educational therapy is a good fit. Questions about difficulties, what has been tried to address these difficulties, and other relevant information is discussed.
Assessments: Next, there are usually some informal and/or formal assessments that are done. If a full Psych. Ed. has recently been completed and a report provided there is likely less that needs to be done here. Either way, it is important for the educational therapist to have a clear idea of where the learner is at, their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations so that the next step can be effective.
Individualized Learning Plan: Once assessments are complete and conversations around goals have been had, an evidence-based individualized learning (intervention) plan is created. This plan is specifically developed with the strengths, weaknesses, and motivations of the child.
1:1 Sessions: The plan is carried out through 1:1 sessions at a defined duration and frequency. These sessions are planned, structured, follow a sequence, and are evidence-based.
Progress monitoring: As the one-on-one sessions continue, there will be progress monitoring to ensure that the plan is meeting the needs of the learner.
Graduation: Ultimately, the goal is to “graduate” from educational therapy with goals met and confidence gained.
Pro Tip:
Parents and caregivers play a pivotal role in the social, emotional, and academic development of their children. Although parents are not experts (and not expected to be) in child development, neurological development, or specific needs for diverse learners, gaining even a slightly deeper understanding of these topics will benefit the learner. I believe it is important to share with clients the nature of childhood development, neurological development, and more so that they themselves may have a better understanding.
Get started with an Educational Therapist today
The slogan for Toucan Learning Services & Tutoring is ‘Because we know you can’. I truly feel that through a variety of methods all learners can reach their potential. I would love to connect. Please reach out!
Email: desiree@toucanlearning.ca
Website: https://toucanlearning.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toucan_learning/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToucanLearningServices/