Comparing the Cost and Availability of Educational Therapy and Learning Support in the EU and USA: Definitions, Funding, and Value for Expats

For international families, the quality of education on offer is at the forefront of decisions about the next job, the next relocation, the next step in family life. For those families where learning difficulties or neurodivergent learning are part of daily life, finding adequate support ahead of and during their stay abroad is an even greater priority. The cost and availability of obtaining learning support, particularly through educational therapy, varies significantly between and across the European Union (EU) and the United States. Let's delve into the intricacies of this crucial topic, exploring different forms of support available, factors influencing costs, funding opportunities, and the value proposition of private educational therapy.

The Landscape of Learning Support

Frustratingly, the availibility and amount of funding through local government and education boards, local charities and foundations varies just as much within countries as between them!

Recognition of Specific Learning Needs

In the USA, "Specific Learning Disabilities," in the form of Specific Word Reading, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression Disabilities have been well recognised at a legislative level for over 50 years and there has been much research towards reaching a consensus on what effective intervention looks like (1). With a great number of therapy types and interventions on offer, both within schools and externally (2)

The matter in the EU is somewhat complicated by different member states having different diagnostic criteria, diagnostic methods, terminology and legislation in place (3). In 2022, a citizen's initiative was launched with a "Focus on Specific Learning Difficulties at an EU level" based on the results of a 2012 study by Caudia Cappa and Sara Giulivi which highlighted some of these differences. The initiative aims to improve the consistency of specialist knowledge about the topics of dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia, access to adequate study materials, and exam conditions across the EU.

Support in Schools

In both the EU and the USA, schools offer various forms of learning support to students with different needs. This support can range from specialized educators to individualized education plans. While these services are often included in the standard educational system, their availability and quality can vary widely between regions and institutions. In the EU, the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusion provides a platform for member countries to collaborate on policies and share best practices in developing Inclusive provision. They also maintain detailed records on the scope, aims and uptake of Special Needs provision across the EU.

Private Educational Therapy

Outside of formal schooling, many families opt for private educational therapy to address specific learning challenges. This type of personalized support often entails one-on-one sessions with therapists trained in techniques tailored to the individual's needs. Educational therapy can be a valuable supplement to traditional learning environments, offering targeted interventions for various learning difficulties. Different countries have their own prfessional associations and practioner standards, such as FIL, in Germany, or the AET, in the USA.

Factors Influencing Costs

Big Cities vs. Rural Areas

One significant factor impacting the cost of learning support is the location. In metropolitan areas, demand for educational therapy and tutoring services is high, rent for practice rooms is at a premium and private practice prices reflect this. Conversely, in rural areas, access to such services may be limited, but the cost could be more affordable.

Big cities my offer more choice of provider and better access to services but with higher prices reflecting higher property prices and living costs.

Tax and Cost of Living

Bear in mind the general tax systems and cost of living in your region when budgetting for an Educational Therapist. The proffessional training and standards are high in this field, as is demand, and you should expect to pay a little more than you might for example pay for personal training, music or language lessons, but not as much as for private medical care.

Individual vs. Group Sessions

Joining a small group session can save costs and offer advantages for children who learn well in a group, but be aware it will also reduce the amount of individual attention your child receives. Very often schools and state funded programs offer small group support. If you are looking at group sessions, make sure to ask how groups are put together. Are the children of similar ages? Do they share a common difficulty? How many children are in a group? In the best cases, small group work can boost confidence and morale. However, a group that is larger than 4 children, or is catering to a wider range of needs might not offer your child the same level of individual attention and could potentially be worse value for money in the long run.

Funding Opportunities for Support

Government Initiatives & Non-Profit Organizations

Many states in both the EU and the USA have programs in place to assist families in securing funding for educational therapy and learning support. These initiatives aim to make these services more accessible to a broader range of students, regardless of their financial circumstances. However the eligibility criteria and application process for these funding opportunities varies widely between states and regions, so researching locally is crucial for families seeking financial assistance. It is worth noting that charitable foundations often have very tight finincial as well as geographical criteria. On top of this, obtaining government funding can be a beaureaucratic process, requiring specific paperwork from schools and/or medical professionals, so patience and perserverence are key. A well qualified Educational Therapist in your area will usually be well informed and happy to advise you of where to start looking, regarding local funding possibilities.

Other Sources of Support

For relatively well paid Expats, local support is very often out of the question. But there are other avenues to explore. It is worth checking whether therapeutic interventions for diagnosed Neurodiversty or Learning difficulties are covered in private medical insurance coverage. For families in the planning stages of a move abroad, education costs should be a topic of discussion for drawing up expat contracts from the beginning. Some - but by no means all - international schools offer in-house provision for special educational needs, at others you will be expected to pay privately for any in classroom support. Whilst some selective schools cite their inability to resource support for individual students as a reason to turn down an application. For families using local schools, it is worth considering whether local language services are most appropritate or whether Educational Therapy in your child's mothertongue is available locally (for the best results, in person) or online. It is also worth finding out what experience local schools have for working together with Private Educational Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech therapists etc. Very often, they will have recommendations of professionals in your area. Any relocation agents who might be managing your move should also be able to advise you on local service providers.

Value Proposition of Private Educational Therapy

Tailored Interventions

One of the primary attractions of private educational therapy is the personalized approach it offers. Therapists work closely with students to identify their unique learning challenges and develop tailored interventions accordingly. This individualized attention can lead to significant improvements in academic performance and overall confidence.

Online services may offer cost and availability advantages but at the cost of the range of strategies and resources available to support holistic learning and diagnostics.

Image credit: Franciane Heiden Rios, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Long-Term Benefits

While private educational therapy may come at a higher cost, the long-term benefits for students can outweigh the financial investment. By addressing underlying learning difficulties early on, students are better equipped to navigate academic challenges and develop essential skills for future success.

In conclusion, the cost of learning support, including educational therapy, varies across and between different regions and educational systems. It may go by different names e.g. Special Education, Learning Therapy, Learning Needs Support Teaching etc. use different approaches or cover different diagnoses in different EU countries, so it is a good idea to use a search engine to search a range of terms to find out what is available near you. Mulitnational and online providers may be able to help you find a practitioner with international accreditation, but be aware of the downsides of online learning therapy: it screentime based and offers less opportunities for holistic diagnostics and treatment. Understanding the factors influencing local costs, exploring available funding opportunities, and assessing the value of private educational therapy are essential steps in making informed decisions regarding a student's educational journey.

Authored by: Rachel Dudley BA Cantab. PGCE

Rachel is an expat herself, and has lived in the UK, USA and Germany. She is an Educational Therapist, former classroom teacher and founder of Rachel Dudley Education Services offering English Language Educational Therapy and Learning Skills Coaching in Hamburg, Germany.

Where uncredited, images are provided by the Wix AI illustrator.