Educational Therapy or Tutoring?
What is the difference between educational therapy and tutoring and when should you choose one over the other?
Educational therapy is a specialized form of support that focuses on addressing underlying learning challenges and helping students develop strategies to overcome these challenges.
Tutoring is a more general form of academic support that is often sought by students who need short-term help in specific subjects or areas where they may be struggling.
Read on for more clarification.
PURPOSE: |
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Educational therapy is more comprehensive and is designed to address underlying learning difficulties and disabilities. It goes beyond subject-specific content and targets the development of cognitive and academic skills. Educational therapy is often used for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other learning challenges. Educational therapy involves the assessment of a student’s learning strengths and weaknesses and the development of a customized, targeted intervention plan to address those weaknesses. |
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Tutoring primarily focuses on providing academic support in specific subjects or topics. Tutors help students understand and master the content taught in their regular school curriculum. Tutoring typically addresses short-term academic needs and aims to improve performance in specific subjects. |
APPROACH: |
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| Educational therapists assess students’ individual learning profiles and design customized interventions to address their specific learning challenges. They focus on developing underlying cognitive skills, such as attention, memory, and processing, to improve overall learning abilities. Their approach is STUDENT-CENTERED. |  |
Tutors typically provide instruction, explain concepts, and offer practice exercises related to a specific subject or topic. Their approach is SUBJECT-CENTERED. |
GOALS: |
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| The goal of educational therapy is to help students overcome learning disabilities and develop the skills and strategies they need to succeed academically. This may include improving executive functioning, working memory, attention, and other cognitive skills. |  |
The primary goal of tutoring is to help students achieve proficiency in a particular subject or topic. Tutors work to enhance students’ understanding of the material and improve their grades. |
STUDENT POPULATION: |
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| Educational therapy is typically recommended for students who have learning disabilities, attention issues, or other cognitive challenges that affect their overall learning process. |  |
Tutoring is beneficial for students who need help with specific subjects, want to excel in a particular area, or need to catch up on coursework. |
DURATION AND FREQUENCY: |
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| Educational therapy is typically more intensive and often requires regular, ongoing sessions to address underlying learning difficulties. It may be a longer-term intervention. |  |
Tutoring can be short-term or ongoing, depending on the student’s needs and goals. Sessions are often scheduled as needed or on a weekly basis. |
PROVIDERS: |
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| Educational therapists are typically trained and qualified to work with individuals who have a range of learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, executive function challenges, and more. |  |
Tutors are often subject-matter teachers or educators who assist students in understanding and mastering specific academic content. |
In summary, while educational therapy and tutoring both involve one-on-one instruction to support students academically, they differ in important ways.
Educational therapy is a STUDENT-CENTERED approach that goes beyond subject-specific instruction to target underlying learning difficulties and empower students to become more effective and independent learners.
On the other hand, tutoring is a SUBJECT-CENTERED approach that primarily provides academic support and subject-specific instruction to improve short-term performance in a particular area.
The choice between these approaches depends on your student’s specific needs and challenges.
C4L provides educational therapy for students of all ages. Contact us for more information.
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Wunder by Understood- An App We Love!
Raising children with ADHD and learning struggles is not an easy task and sometimes parents can feel lost and overwhelmed. That’s why Understood.org created Wunder: a free, first-of-its-kind community app designed to help parents feel less alone, more supported, and more confident in navigating learning and thinking differences.Unlike other platforms or online resources, Wunder is a safe space for parents to gather tips and educational resources on learning and thinking differences, seek advice from experts, and share personal stories of triumph or frustration with other caregivers.Because that’s what being in an authentic community is all about.Whether parents are seeking immediate advice on how to talk to their child during a meltdown, or looking for resources on how to discuss their child’s learning and thinking differences during parent-teacher conferences, the Wunder app offers a personalized experience and gives caregivers the chance to connect with other parents, access experts, and learn from a library of resources.In this blog post, we’ll delve into the features and benefits that make Wunder such a valuable tool for parents seeking guidance, advice, and a sense of community. |
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Community Support:Wunder is a place where parents can find support and understanding from others who are going through similar experiences. Knowing that you are not alone can make all the difference, and the app’s community feature is designed to bring parents together to share stories, advice, and encouragement. |
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Expert-Designed Exercises:Wunder‘s experts have designed a collection of exercises that offer valuable insights into your child’s behavior and provide practical tools to manage challenges. As a parent, you want the best for your child, and these exercises can give you the knowledge and skills to help them thrive. From behavior tracking to strategies for handling outbursts and stressful situations, Wunder has you covered. |
Interactive Q&A:Wunder‘s interactive Q&A platform is a space where parents can ask questions and get advice from other members of the community. Sometimes, all you need is a little guidance or reassurance, and this feature allows you to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. |
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Resource Center:Wunder‘s resource center is a comprehensive guide to specific learning and thinking differences. From ADHD and dyslexia to dyscalculia, executive function issues, and written expression disorders, the app offers in-depth information, tips, and strategies to better understand and support your child. With Wunder‘s resource center, you can feel confident that you have the information you need to help your child succeed. |
Quick Tips for Behavior Improvement:Wunder understands that dealing with misbehavior can be challenging, and the app provides quick tips to help parents navigate and improve their child’s behavior effectively. These practical suggestions offer actionable steps that can be implemented in everyday situations, making it easier for parents to support their child’s growth and development. |
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Wunder is a supportive and empathetic resource for parents raising children with ADHD and learning struggles. With its community support, expert-designed exercises, interactive Q&A, rich resource center, and quick tips for behavior improvement, Wunder equips parents with the tools they need to overcome obstacles and help their children succeed. In a world where every child deserves a chance to thrive, Wunder is a valuable ally for parents on this journey.To learn more about Wunder, visit https://www.understood.org/wunder/en, or download the app directly from your app store. |
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Understanding the Types of ADHD
Thinking about your child getting a psychiatric or medical diagnosis might be scary. But it’s essential to understand that “normal” is just a label society uses, and there’s no need to be afraid of what’s considered a psychiatric “condition.”
Many highly successful and extraordinary people have been diagnosed with ADHD. Simone Biles, arguably the GOAT (greatest of all time) of gymnastics, shared with the world that she takes Ritalin, affirming that there is “nothing to be ashamed of. This is nothing that I’m afraid to let people know.” Adam Levine, Justin Timberlake, Michael Phelps, Emma Watson, Bill Gates, Ingvar Kamprad (Ikea CEO), and many more join Biles as other superstars who have ADHD.
Continue reading to understand the different presentations of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder and the symptom criteria for each presentation.
There are three presentations: Inattentive (ADHD-I), Hyperactive (ADHD-H), and Combined (ADHD-C).
The following charts illustrate the symptoms required for diagnosing ADHD-I and ADHD-H. ADHD-C is when the individual meets criteria for both ADHD-I and ADHD-H. Both ADHD-I and ADHD-H require at least 6 of the listed symptoms for more than 6 months, present before the age of 12.
Inattentive Presentation
Struggles to maintain focus on tasks or play activities. |
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Often appears inattentive when directly addressed. |
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Easily gets distracted. |
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Frequently overlooks details or makes careless errors in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities. |
Regularly neglects to complete tasks and assignments, losing focus or getting sidetracked. |
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Frequently forgetful in daily activities. |
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Often disorganized and/or messy |
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Procrastinates, avoids, or shows reluctance towards tasks demanding prolonged mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework. |
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Frequently misplaces essential items for tasks and activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile phones). |
Hyperactive Presentation
Frequently fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in the seat. |
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Regularly stands up when expected to remain seated. |
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Tends to run about or climb in inappropriate situations (adolescents or adults may express restlessness). |
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Difficulty keeping hands to themselves( particularly younger children) |
Has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly. |
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Often appears restless and as if constantly in motion. |
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Tends to talk excessively. |
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Frequently blurts out answers before questions are fully asked. |
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Struggles with waiting their turn. |
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Frequently interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., joining conversations or games without invitation). |
These symptoms are usually persistent throughout childhood and present in at least two different settings (home, school, playgroup, sports, music lessons, etc.). As mentioned earlier, these symptoms must interfere with functioning to a noticeable extent (inhibiting school performance, social interactions, etc.). Furthermore, these symptoms cannot be better explained by another psychiatric or medical condition.
ADHD often lasts into adulthood and its symptoms might look different at older ages. For example, in adults, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity.
Ultimately, students with ADHD often possess creativity, liveliness, sociability, spontaneity, innovativeness, and many other positive characteristics.
The challenging symptoms of ADHD represent the “other side of the coin.” Therefore, it can be helpful to recognize and address these difficulties through personalized psychotherapy, educational support, and medication. By doing so, the positive traits can flourish, allowing the student to shine. Offering support and nurturing growth in line with a student’s uniqueness is crucial for ensuring success and well-being.
If you suspect that your child has symptoms of ADHD, C4L can provide a definitive diagnosis and advise you on subsequent treatment.
Diagnostic criteria can also be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), which is considered by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to diagnosing mental disorders.
For further reading, please reference the following articles written by physicians, neurobiologists, and psychologists.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1087054720923736
https://neurodivergentinsights.com/misdiagnosis-monday/adhd-vs-adhd
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-022-00030-1
https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x01_Neurodevelopmental_Disorders
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Mastering the Family Calendar
As we navigate the complexities of family life, finding a way to create a smooth and peaceful routine can be a challenge. That’s where careful planning comes in, and one key tool for success is the family calendar. In this blog, we’ll explore how a family calendar can help not only with organizing household tasks but also with developing important executive functioning skills in our children. It’s a small but mighty tool that can make a big difference for any family.
The Heart of the Home: The Family Calendar
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Set the Stage: Begin by establishing a designated space for your family calendar, whether it’s a physical wall calendar or a digital platform accessible to all. This central hub becomes the visual epicenter for coordinating family activities and building essential skills.
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Color-Coding Magic: Assigning a unique color to each family member adds more than just a visual pop; it introduces an early lesson in categorization and differentiation. This simple technique helps children associate colors with individuals, laying the groundwork for future organizational skills.
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Executive Functioning in Action
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Events and Commitments: Capturing daily activities on the family calendar serves as a practical exercise in planning and time management. Children learn to anticipate events, recognize the sequence of daily tasks, and understand the importance of honoring commitments.
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Special Days and Celebrations: Recording birthdays, anniversaries, and family traditions on the calendar instills a sense of time awareness. Children grasp the concept of time as a continuum, learning to look forward to and prepare for special occasions.
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Collaboration in Action
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Weekly Planning Sessions: Incorporate children into weekly family meetings to discuss and update the calendar. This collaborative approach not only reinforces communication skills but also introduces the concept of shared decision-making and responsibility. |
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Chores and Responsibilities: Integrating chore schedules into the family calendar turns household responsibilities into a tangible, visual plan. Children grasp the importance of accountability and develop a sense of order in managing their tasks.
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A Visual Feast for Organization
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Visual Cues: The use of symbols and stickers on the calendar transforms it into a visual playground. Children begin associating symbols with specific activities, fostering visual-spatial awareness and strengthening memory skills.
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Reminders and Alerts: Introducing reminders and alerts for important events teaches children to anticipate and prepare for upcoming responsibilities. This skill becomes increasingly important as they navigate school assignments and extracurricular activities.
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Preparing for the Unexpected
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Review and Reflect: Regularly reviewing the family calendar encourages children to reflect on their achievements and challenges. This reflective practice contributes to the development of metacognition, an essential executive function that aids in self-awareness and self-regulation.
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Emergency Preparedness: Including emergency contact information on the calendar instills a sense of security in children. This vital information empowers them to take initiative and respond appropriately in unforeseen circumstances, cultivating a strong foundation in problem-solving skills.
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Embrace the Digital Revolution
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Digital Calendar Apps: Exploring family-friendly calendar apps offers children exposure to technology while honing digital literacy skills. Some apps provide shared to-do lists and messaging features, introducing children to collaborative tools in a digital landscape.
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