Educational TherapyEducational Therapy

Helping Children Learn

We all expect and hope that our child will have a love of reading and learning. It is heartbreaking for a parent to see their child struggling to learn. Heartbreak often turns to frustration when a parent is uncertain what is getting in the way of their child’s ability to learn. After all, children are natural learners, right? Yes…and no.

At Child Success Center we understand that often very bright children can struggle with processing and learning. Some children learn better when they hear information, others when they see it, still others learn best when they hear and see information simultaneously. Some children face learning challenges that are rooted in pre-existing conditions that may or may not have been diagnosed, making it difficult to learn the foundational skills necessary to read, write or calculate.

At CSC, our Masters level Educational Therapists are highly trained in the identification process of individual learning styles and the underlying roots of learning challenges that may be preventing a child from reaching his/her potential. They support parents in what we realize can be an emotional journey, and collaborate within the CSC team and with the child’s school and community to ensure that the child gets the right start and the tools needed to grow as a happy, life-long, independent learner.

Learn how our Educational therapists use Zoom teletherapy when in-person sessions are not an option.

What is Educational Therapy?

Educational Therapy provides individualized, remedial instruction to a child with learning challenges, including but not limited to dyslexia, ADHD, executive function deficits, and language, visual and auditory processing issues. Educational therapy focuses not only on remediation, but also on building the foundational attention, memory and learning skills to allow the child to become a more self-aware, self-reliant and efficient learner.

After an initial and thorough assessment, an individualized plan of treatment and session scheduling is created, taking into consideration the whole child, his/her school life, home environment, and social engagements. Generally, a child receives Educational Therapy twice a week, but a more intensive* course of therapy may be recommended when a child’s skills are significantly delayed.

 

Educational TherapyHow is an Educational Therapist different from a tutor?

Underlying learning skills are the processing skills such as visual processing, auditory processing and working memory, that underpin the learning process.  Weakness in areas of processing can lead to educational challenges that can not be remediated through tutoring alone.

The most significant differences between an educational therapist and a tutor are training, goals and strategies, and services provided. Educational therapists have specific training and experience with learning disabilities/differences, as well as training in the socio-emotional effects that can impede the learning process. A tutor is not necessarily trained in therapeutic assessments and interventions, and is generally skilled in a specific subject matter.

 

What is Difference Between an Educational Therapist and a Tutor? – Download brochure

Will an Educational Therapist work with the other professionals on a child’s “team”?

Although each professional on a child’s “success team” is focused on different goals, communication with one another is imperative to broaden the perspective and treat the “whole child”.  This shared information helps inform decisions and trajectory in planned treatment sessions. The Educational Therapist is the child’s educational advocate, and will assume the responsibility to connect and collaborate with teachers and other professionals.

*Academic Intensives – Elementary & Junior High School Level (Summer SPARK Program)Summer Learning Support

Generally, a child receives Educational Therapy twice a week, but a more intensive course of therapy may be recommended when a child’s skills are significantly delayed. These intensives may focus on the areas of reading, spelling or math, and may also involve the specialized services of an Occupational Therapist and/or a Speech Therapist. The Educational Therapist will notify parents in advance if collaborative therapy is advised. These “intensives” are geared towards student motivation and interest, and are individualized, with a child coming to the center approximately 2-3 hours a day, 2-4 days a week, depending on the child’s needs.

The summer school break is a time for children to regroup and grow physically and emotionally, but it can also be a time to build brain muscle. The CSC summer intensive program, SPARK, provides this opportunity delivered in a fun, engaging and movement filled environment with facilitators who will support and nurture each child’s individual needs.

>Summer SPARK Program – Academic Intensives

What Other Services Can an Educational Therapist Offer a Family?

Our Educational Therapists are able to interpret assessment data and act as an advocate on your child’s behalf at IEP or 504 Plan meetings at school. They can offer referrals to other allied professionals such as developmental optometrists, audiologists or psychologists, who may be able to provide additional insights and information.

Financial Assistance

The Child Success Foundation, a Non-Profit 501(c)(3), helps families overcome financial roadblocks so that their child can obtain the therapeutic support they need. To find out if your family qualifies for a CSF grant, call (888)272-7560 or email info@childsuccessfoundation.org.

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>Issues Treated with Educational Therapy

>Pediatric Educational Therapy Evaluation

>Educational Therapy Process

>Educational Therapy Parents Learning Center

>Educational Developmental Checklist

>Meet Department Team

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
>Additional ET Information                        >Do You Know Someone With a Learning Problem?
Child Success Center
2023 S. Westgate Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Call 310-899-9597 to access our “warm” line.
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