Educational Therapy is a specialised approach to addressing academic challenges and helping students overcome learning difficulties.
It focuses on supporting students in areas such as literacy, numeracy, attention, emotional regulation, and motivation. Educational therapists work closely with a team of professionals, including educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and teachers, to find practical solutions tailored to each student’s needs.
The Role of Educational Therapy
Educational Therapy takes a holistic approach to a child’s learning by considering various factors that may affect their academic progress.
These factors can include attention issues, emotional regulation, and motivation, which may not be directly related to the school curriculum. By identifying and addressing these underlying factors alongside literacy and numeracy goals, educational therapists create an environment conducive to learning.
Areas of Focus in Educational Therapy
Educational therapists are trained in literacy and numeracy and use various resources and programs to support students.
Unlike traditional tuition that follows a curriculum, educational therapists develop individualised lesson plans based on each child’s specific needs and abilities. They collaborate with parents, teachers, learning support teachers, educational psychologists, and speech and occupational therapists to gather input from different disciplines and implement effective strategies.
Educational psychologists are well-equipped to assist with a wide range of issues. These include learning difficulties, behavioural problems, emotional distress, developmental disorders, and social interaction issues. They use scientifically validated techniques and interventions to provide the best possible support.
Common Difficulties Addressed by Educational Therapy
Educational Therapy is beneficial for children facing a range of challenges, including dyscalculia (math struggles), dyslexia (literacy difficulties), and attention difficulties like ADHD or Executive Function Deficiency.
By identifying and treating these difficulties, educational therapists aim to improve academic outcomes and enhance the overall quality of a child’s academic life.
Educational Therapy vs Tuition: Uncovering the Differences
While tuition focuses on improving marks through re-teaching and repetitive practice, educational therapy aims to enhance underlying processing abilities to improve academic skill acquisition and overall academic outcomes.
Educational interventions designed by psychologists aim to address specific learning difficulties your child might be facing. They place emphasis on stimulating thoughts and thought processes, targeting therapy goals within an academic and curriculum context.
Through educational therapy, the therapist identifies neurological vulnerabilities that affect learning and uses innovative tools to create a motivating and effective learning environment.
In contrast, tuition primarily relies on teaching principles that are generally effective for neuro-typical children but may not be as helpful for children with vulnerabilities such as language impairment, sensory and motor issues, or attention issues. Educational therapy goes beyond re-teaching curriculum content and uses evidence-based practices to cater to the individual needs of each child.
How do I know if Educational Therapy is Useful For My Child?
The success of educational therapy is measured by the consolidation of learning, deep internalisation of knowledge and skills across various life contexts, and the ability to actively learn through experiences.
These measures lead to improved academic outcomes and a better quality of life for the student. In contrast, the success of tuition is typically measured by an increase in marks on school tasks such as exams or assignments.
Getting Started with Educational Therapy
If you are considering educational therapy for your child, it is important to connect with professionals who specialise in this field. Educational therapists work closely with families, teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists to develop a comprehensive and personalised approach to support your child’s learning journey.
Find out more about educational therapy and schedule a consultation with us on our website. We will match you with the right educational psychologist tailored to your child’s needs.
Medically reviewed by: Zanel Lee
Zanel is an educational therapist with more than 15 years of experience in the field.
She is currently the deputy director of our Ready Let’s Go Early Intervention Programme.
