While a tutor generally focuses on teaching a specific subject matter, an educational therapist’s focus is broader. Educational therapists collaborate with all the significant people concerned with the student’s learning. They focus not only on remediation, but also on building underlying learning skills to help clients become more self-aware, self-reliant, efficient learners.
Differences in Training
- An educational therapist has extensive training and experience in learning disabilities and uses evidenced-based intervention strategies specific to learning differences.
- A tutor’s background does not necessarily include training in learning disabilities, specific syndromes, assessments, appropriate interventions, or case management. Tutors are generally skilled in a specific subject matter.
Differences in Goals and Strategies
- An educational therapist sets goals and develops a treatment plan that addresses not only academic difficulties but also psycho-educational and socioemotional aspects of life-long learning through an eclectic combination of individualized intervention strategies. Referrals are made to specialists when needed.
- A tutor frequently focuses on improving grades and commonly uses traditional teaching methods to reach academic goals.
Differences in Services Provided
- An educational therapist (ET) conducts formal and informal assessments, utilizes specific, and when appropriate, alternative teaching strategies. In addition, an ET provides case management by coordinating with the student’s team of teachers, parents, and allied professionals.
- A tutor typically provides individual assistance with homework or instruction in a specific subject matter.
Another way of describing educational therapy is that educational therapy focuses on how to learn, rather than what to learn.