What Is The Difference Between Educational Therapy And Tutoring?

1. Services Provided:

An educational therapist provides individualized intensive intervention, conducts formal and informal assessment of academic skills, and utilizes alternative teaching strategies. An educational therapist can also provide case management for clients with a wide range of learning disabilities and learning issues. For example, I regularly collaborate and coordinate services with teachers, doctors, psychotherapists, and educational advocates.

A tutor typically provides assistance with homework and teaches individuals requiring additional instruction in specific subject matter. For example, a student struggling in their math class will have their tutor reteach the math concepts that were not learned in class. Tutors do not know how to read or interpret psycho-educational assessments, are not trained in alternative teaching strategies, do not have formal education in learning disabilities and co-morbid disorders, and do not provide case management or coordinate services between doctors, therapists, or other allied professionals. The scope of support from a tutor will usually be limited to the subject matter they are asked to reteach and nothing else.

2. Training and Experience:

An educational therapist has extensive training in learning disabilities and other forms of learning difficulties, with additional specific training in the psychology of learning disorders, assessment, and intervention strategies that address the social and emotional aspects that impact learning. Training also includes experience with intervention strategies specific to learning differences and a period of supervised practice.

For example, my training, education, and experience includes:

B.A. in Psychology from UCSD
M.A. in Special Education with a Certificate in Educational Therapy
California Education Specialist Teaching Credential
International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certification as a Professional Coach
14 Years Teaching Experience
10 Years Experience In Private Practice

A tutor’s background typically does not include training in learning disabilities, specific syndromes, assessments, appropriate interventions or case management. Tutors are generally skilled at specific subject matter assistance like math or chemistry. Tutors may or may not have advanced degrees.

3. Goals and Strategies:

An educational therapist collaboratively sets goals and develops an intervention plan that addresses not only academic difficulties, but also psycho-educational and socio-emotional aspects of life-long learning.

A tutor frequently focuses on improving grades and commonly uses traditional teaching methods to reach academic goals.  Tutors often work with clients alongside educational therapists, addressing academic needs according to their expertise.