
Educational therapy
Understanding


What does an Educational Therapist do?
An educational therapist is a professional who provides one-on-one intensive intervention for students with learning differences or disabilities. They use assessments to identify areas of need and partner with the student, their family, and other professionals to help students develop learning skills and strategies that enable them to become more independent and successful. Educational therapists base their work in the science of learning and take a broad approach to understanding and remediating the underlying causes of students’ learning struggles, encompassing both academic and non-academic factors.
How are Educational Therapists Different from Tutors?
While tutors generally focus on the short-term performance gains in specific subjects, educational therapists draw upon specialized expertise to help students with learning differences become confident, independent learners. Educational therapists take a comprehensive approach to working with students, supporting not only their academic needs but also their social and emotional development. They emphasize selecting effective strategies for new learning situations and provide ongoing, personalized support. In addition, unlike tutors, their training enables them to assess students through both formal and informal methods.