About Educational Therapy
An educational therapist is a specialist who has undergone unique training in specialized learning techniques designed to remediate learning disabilities, improve processing, and teach compensatory skills. Working from formal and informal assessments, educational therapists tailor individual learning programs to align a student’s key strengths with their areas of challenge, as well as provide case management for clients with learning differences. Educational therapy demystifies learning and stimulates a student’s awareness of their unique abilities so they are able to confidently approach any subject with the proper tools to be successful.
Each child’s program is customized and designed to meet his/her individual academic needs, strengthening processing weaknesses. Because learning issues are as distinct as the children who have them, the student is evaluated in a wholistic manner. We not only assess the student’s academic ability, but focusing ability, nutrition and diet, mental and physical stamina, and emotional beliefs/ difficulties.
The Approach
Assessment – The first step is assessing students’ areas of strength and weakness in cognitive processing, learning styles, reading, as well as other skills required for successful learning. *This is for screening purposes, not for diagnosing learning issues. Referrals to appropriate professionals are given for further in-depth testing if/when needed.
Processing– – Cognitive training exercises will develop the brain and improve areas of processing. Some areas of cognitive processing include processing speed, working memory, visual processing, and auditory processing. Attention and concentration, executive functioning, sequencing ability, and critical thinking skills are also developed.
One-to-One Intervention – Utilizing strategies and tools for future independent learning given a student’s specific learning style. This area also addresses reading (decoding, comprehension, and fluency), expressive writing, math, and study skills.
Empowerment – Demystifying the learning process builds confidence and self-esteem.
Case Management – Work closely with other involved professionals and school teachers.It is critical to not only strengthen inefficient areas of processing but also to teach students how to use these skills for academics.
A Wholistic Approach
Students who gain access to traditional educational techniques and discover how to use the tools to make themselves more efficient become confident and empowered. When students can access their strategies, they begin to use them on their own at home and school, which empowers them to feel confident about learning. This leads to successful students.
Who Benefits From A Wholistic Approach
- • Any student, age 7 through adult
- • Students with learning difficulties such as ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome and/or other learning disabilities
- • Students who can learn and understand traditional educational therapy strategies but fail to use them on their own
- • Students who have difficulty focusing or feel frustration and anxiety when learning
- • Students who have lost confidence in their own ability to learn