When Tutoring and Homework Help Aren’t Working: Exploring the Benefits of Educational Therapy

As a parent, it can be disheartening when tutoring and homework help don’t seem to yield the desired results for your child. If your child is struggling academically despite extra support, it might be time to consider a different approach: educational therapy. Understanding the distinctions between traditional tutoring and educational therapy can lead to a more effective path for your child’s learning and overall well-being.

The Difference Between Educational Therapy and Traditional Tutoring

Traditional tutoring focuses primarily on specific subject matter. A tutor helps students grasp concepts in subjects like math or reading, providing targeted assistance to improve grades. While this can be beneficial, it often overlooks underlying issues that may be contributing to academic struggles.

On the other hand, educational therapy is a holistic approach that addresses both academic and emotional needs. Caroline Miller, writing for Child Mind Institute, offers a clear and concise definition of the role of an Educational Therapist as ,"A professional who is trained to understand an individual child’s learning challenges, and the patterns and behaviors they have developed to work around, or mask, their deficits. Some of those behaviors—avoidance, acting out, even tantrums—may have been misinterpreted by parents and teachers who read them as opposition or impulsivity." The educational therapist is able to assess each child’s unique strengths and weaknesses, tailoring strategies that promote both academic success and emotional well-being.

Educational therapists employ a range of techniques, combining educational strategies with insights from psychology. This dual approach fosters not just improved academic performance, but also resilience, self-esteem, and coping skills. Alexis Clark, writing for Understood, a leading nonprofit empowering people with learning and thinking differences in the United States, points out that Educational Therapists come from a wide range of backgrounds, including education, speech and occupational therapy and counselling. It is important to find the right specialist with the skills and experience best suited to help your child. Because educational therapy can be so broad, it’s important to look at a therapist’s qualifications. "The therapist should meet your child’s needs and have the right training, " she explains. Clark neatly summarizes key qualities to expect in a well qualified educational therapist, "They will be familiar with learning challenges, know how to work with kids with learning and thinking differences, have expertise in an academic subject area or skill, like reading, math, or organization and understand how emotional and behavioral issues can impact a child in school."

Educational Therapists come from a wide range of backgrounds, including education, speech and occupational therapy and counselling

The Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness of Educational Therapy

While it may seem that hiring a traditional tutor is a more immediate and affordable option, the long-term benefits of educational therapy can outweigh the initial costs. Traditional tutoring may provide temporary relief in specific subjects, but if the root issues—such as specific learning differences or emotional struggles—are not addressed, your child may continue to face challenges.

Investing in educational therapy can lead to more sustainable results. As highlighted by Samantha Bulens, an Educational therapist working in Geneva and writing for International School Parent Magazine, educational therapists “can bridge the gap between academic struggles and emotional needs,” leading to a comprehensive improvement in a child’s overall performance. Bulens emphasizes the vital role played by educational therapists, in the space left between traditional educational and psychological services. "Traditional tutors or teachers may not fully understand the child’s learning difficulties although schools these days are doing their best to accommodate the child’s learning difficulties," she writes. "On the other hand, psychologists and psychiatrists can meet the child’s difficulties on a psychological level but are not trained to meet the academic difficulties. Here the educational therapist can fill in the gap." For Bulens the key lies in, "filling the gap and not replacing one or either." By equipping children with coping strategies and a stronger understanding of their learning processes, educational therapy fosters independence and resilience that can serve them throughout their lives.

Supporting the Whole Child

A key component of educational therapy is its emphasis on the well-being of the whole child. A nurturing environment is crucial for building trust and encouraging growth. Building skills and strategies in executive functioning is also key, allowing learners to deal with frustrations, overcome procrastination and work with purpose towards a goal. Creating a safe space where learners can express their feelings and frustrations and where they can feel confident to try new techniques is an essential part of the Educational Therapist's skillset.

When children feel understood and supported, they are more likely to engage in the learning process and this can be a game-changer for their self-esteem as well as their academic journey.

Conclusion

If you find that tutoring and homework help aren’t providing the results you hoped for, it may be time to explore educational therapy. By focusing on the individual needs of your child, educational therapists can provide a comprehensive support system that addresses both academic challenges and emotional well-being.

Investing in educational therapy is not just a short-term sticking plaster to reduce homework frustrations today; it’s a long-term strategy that promotes lasting success, self-worth and well-being. Your child deserves the best possible support, and educational therapy might be the missing piece in their academic puzzle.

About the Author

Rachel Dudley is a learning coach and Educational therapist, based in Hamburg, Germany, with over 15 years experience in global and dual language education. She provides Learning Skills Coaching, Educational Therapy and Educational Consultancy services in Hamburg and beyond through her company, Rachel Dudley Education Services.