What is Educational Therapy for Children? | Pediatric Therapy Directory

What Do Educational Therapists Do?

Educational therapists are experts in helping children learn how to learn.

Educational therapists (ETs) take a comprehensive approach, looking beyond academics to consider the psychological, emotional, and social factors that affect a child’s ability to learn.

An educational therapist is not a tutor

A tutor focuses narrowly on teaching specific academic subjects. They can offer deeper explanations of concepts and provide extra practice when kids are falling behind in a single subject.

If a child is having difficulty keeping up with algebra, a tutor can help them by reteaching the core concepts covered in class, giving them problem-solving strategies for homework, and helping them study for tests.

An educational therapist focuses more broadly on a child’s ability to learn. They evaluate how the child is functioning in all areas of school and create a comprehensive intervention plan to help them shore up their weaknesses.

A child who struggles in multiple subjects at school may need a more intensive approach than tutoring can provide. Educational therapists can fill that gap and help your child learn how to learn.

A strengths-based approach

ETs work one-on-one with students to identify their unique strengths and weaknesses.

They evaluate them through standardized assessments, observations, and interviews with parents, teachers, and other therapists.

The goal is to pinpoint roadblocks to learning and equip students with strategies to become independent learners.

They help kids learn to rely on their strengths and to develop confidence at school.

Learning how to learn

Learning is a very complex process. It involves attention, concentration, memory, organization, processing speed, emotional regulation, and motivation.

If a child struggles with any one of those skills, their performance at school can be significantly hampered. Children with learning challenges often struggle with all of them at once.

For children who have a diagnosis such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia, school can be a punishment. They often don’t have the basic skills to succeed in a modern classroom.

ETs are experts at helping children with learning differences “learn how to learn”. But your child doesn’t need to have a diagnosis in order to benefit from educational therapy. An ET can help any child who struggles in the classroom.

They can provide support with

Reading, writing, and general literacy skills
Math and number skills
Organization and time management
Study skills
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Focus and concentration
Developing good learning habits and routines
Building self-awareness and coping skills
Strengthening emotional resilience

ETs partner with parents, teachers, and other professionals (like tutors and occupational therapists) to develop personalized intervention plans.

Their approach is holistic, considering the child's needs across their home, school, and social environments.

How Are Educational Therapists Trained?

ETs come from many professional backgrounds, including special education, speech-language pathology, psychology, occupational therapy, and neurology.

They all share a holistic perspective and can address students' emotional and cognitive needs.

Some ETs pursue certificate programs after earning a bachelor's degree. These programs offer coursework tailored to educational therapy and enable graduates to apply for membership in the Association of Educational Therapists (AET).

There are also master's degree programs in educational therapy nationwide that require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field like psychology, counseling, special education, or teaching.

The AET oversees the board certification of educational therapists. While specific degrees are not mandated, AET requires that registered ETs have academic training in areas like special education, psychoeducational assessment and intervention, literacy development, and human learning.

The AET also has an allied professional membership level for professionals like occupational therapists, developmental optometrists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, neurologists, and clinical psychologists.

There are three AET membership tiers: Associate, Educational Therapist Professional (ET/P), and Board Certified Educational Therapist. The highest tier requires more than 2000 hours of clinical experience treating learning differences.

Members must also complete continuing education annually to maintain their certification.

Since 2023, the AET has required that ET/P candidates hold at least a master's or terminal degree in their area of practice. Board-certified ETs must also pass a written exam and submit a clinical case study.

Hands-on experience

Most ETs acquire many hours of supervised hands-on clinical or teaching experience before they ever apply for certification.

ETs who are allied health professionals (like speech-language pathologists or licensed clinical social workers) also complete many hours of supervised hands-on training in their chosen profession before graduation.

ETs pursuing professional certification (ET/P) are required to complete at least 1500 hours of direct service with children who have learning challenges. They must also work under the supervision of a board-certified educational therapist.

Direct service refers to time spent directly interacting with and treating students, including conducting assessments, providing individual instruction, observing students, collaborating with parents and allied professionals, and completing supervised fieldwork.

ETs who are pursuing board certification are required to complete an additional 1000 hours of direct service beyond the professional certification level.

It’s important to note that a lack of certification does not mean a lack of specialized knowledge. Some ETs, while highly qualified, do not pursue certification. And it takes others many years to acquire the necessary direct service hours for certification.

A competent ET will be more than happy to discuss their experience and approach with you before you commit to therapy for your child.

And most ETs offer a free 15-minute phone consultation before you schedule your first meeting to help you build trust in their skills.

Continuing education and specialization

Continuing education is an integral part of an educational therapist's career. AET members must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education annually to maintain their membership status.

ETs who are also allied health professionals have additional continuing education requirements to maintain state licensure or national certification for their professions.

Beyond these requirements, most ETs voluntarily pursue ongoing education to strengthen their skills with students who have learning differences.

Some ETs pursue a more focused career path and choose to specialize in areas such as

Early childhood education
Reading remediation and development
Math skills development
Executive skills development
Transitioning to college
Test-taking strategies

Most educational therapists still maintain broad expertise that allows them to treat the root causes behind each student's unique learning challenges.

Is Educational Therapy Supported by Research?

Yes! Evidence-based practice is the foundation of educational therapy intervention.

Evidence-based practice in educational therapy refers to an approach that integrates scientific research, professionally accepted standards of practice, and the therapist's own experience and expertise.

Educational therapists incorporate insights from many fields of research including

Literacy
Speech and language development
Linguistics
Sociology
Psychology
Child development
Education methods
Educational psychology
Behaviorism
Neuroscience

Some examples of research journals that educational therapists reference include

ETs know that they can achieve the best outcomes for their clients when they use techniques and strategies that are grounded in scientific research and data.

What Age Groups Do Educational Therapists Treat?

ETs work with students of all ages who are struggling with academics. They tailor their approaches to meet the unique needs of each age group.

Preschoolers (ages 3-5): Educational therapists help preschoolers build early literacy and math skills to prepare them for kindergarten. They also work on developing attention, following directions, and social skills. They may also work on basic knowledge like learning the days of the week.
School-aged children (ages 6-12): Educational therapists support students who are struggling in core academic subjects like reading, writing, and math. They help students develop learning strategies, study skills, organization, and self-regulation.
Teens (ages 13-17): Educational therapists assist teens who are struggling with more advanced academic skills. They also help teens manage time, prioritize homework, and develop executive functioning skills. For teens with learning disabilities like ADHD, educational therapists teach compensatory strategies. ETs can be instrumental in helping teenagers get ready for the demands of college academics.
Young adults (ages 18-22): Educational therapists support the transition to college or career training. They teach skills like taking notes, managing long-term projects, test-taking strategies, and self-advocacy.

So whether your child is struggling with early literacy skills or preparing for college, educational therapists can provide individualized support and strategies tailored to their age and needs. Their goal is to help each student reach their full academic potential.

Where Do Educational Therapists Work?

Educational therapists can be found in a variety of settings helping students overcome learning challenges. Some of the most common places educational therapists work include

Educational Therapy Clinics: These clinics specialize in evaluating learning differences and providing one-on-one therapy to improve academic skills. They have access to educational assessments, learning resources, and technology tailored to different learning needs.
Private and Charter Schools: Many private and charter schools employ educational therapists or contract their services. They provide learning support and individualized instruction within the school setting.
Outpatient Clinics: Educational therapy is offered alongside other therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health therapy in outpatient medical and mental health clinics.
Home-Based: Educational therapists will go to students' homes to provide individualized instruction in the home environment. This allows therapy to be conveniently integrated into daily life or homeschooling.
Virtual/Online: Through videoconferencing platforms, educational therapists can provide services remotely. This is helpful for students who don’t have access to ETs where they live.
Consultation: Educational therapists consult with parents, schools, and teachers to suggest accommodations, modify curricula, and develop effective education strategies for students. They may also consult on designing inclusive classrooms and IEP development.

Could My Child Benefit from Educational Therapy?

Educational therapy can be helpful for children struggling with learning, attention, organization, and other academic or cognitive issues. Some signs your child may benefit include

Learning Disabilities: If your child has been diagnosed with or you suspect dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or other learning disabilities, educational therapy can provide specialized support.
Attention Difficulties: Children with ADHD, executive functioning deficits, or other issues with focusing, organization, planning, and managing time may find educational therapy beneficial.
Academic Struggles: If your child is falling behind grade level expectations in reading, writing, math, or other subjects, despite classroom interventions, educational therapy could help fill the gaps.
Study Skills Issues: Kids who have difficulty getting started on homework, memorizing information, taking notes, preparing for tests, or other study-related skills could benefit from an educational therapist.
Poor Progress: Slow progress at school, excessive stress about schoolwork, repeated failures, or loss of motivation are indicators educational therapy may help.
Social & Emotional Problems: Anxiety, loss of self-esteem, avoidance of school, or withdrawal related to learning challenges are signs educational therapy could be beneficial.
Twice Exceptional: Gifted children who also have learning disabilities or attention deficits often benefit greatly from specialized support from a credentialed educational therapist.
COVID Learning Loss: If your child has fallen behind due to disruptions from the pandemic, educational therapy can help him shore up his weaknesses.
Recently Discharged from Other Therapies: If your child has recently graduated from a mental health or medical therapy like behavior therapy or speech therapy, they may still be struggling at school despite their progress in other areas. ET can bridge that gap. ETs can also collaborate with your child’s current therapists to make sure you are covering all the bases for your child.

If you think your child is struggling with learning, trust your instincts. No one knows your child as well as you do. Most ETs offer a free phone consultation for new clients. Reach out to several to see how educational therapy can help propel your child forward.

How Do I Pay for Educational Therapy for My Child?

Educational therapy is not covered by health insurance. Some private and charter schools may provide educational therapy as a part of your child's curriculum. If your child's school does not cover educational therapy, you will need to pay for it out of pocket. Payment is typically structured in the following ways.

Per Session: Most educational therapists charge an hourly rate that you pay each session. Rates vary based on the experience of the therapist and the region you live in.
Evaluation Fee: An initial evaluation is usually billed separately from ongoing therapy. This assessment helps identify your child's learning needs.
Package Deals: Some therapists offer bundled packages of a certain number of sessions. This allows you to pre-pay and commit to a block of therapy.
Sliding Scale: If the standard hourly rate is challenging for your family, ask if the therapist offers a sliding fee scale based on income. Not all do, but it's worth inquiring.

Like other specialized services, educational therapy fees reflect the expertise and individualized care that families receive.

How Do I Find the Right Educational Therapist for My Child?

Search online

Specialized pediatric therapy directories can help you find qualified educational therapists even if there are none in your immediate area. Many therapists can now offer virtual sessions, so don't limit yourself only to those in your city or state.

Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations

Other parents who have used educational therapists are often your best resource. Ask around for recommendations of therapists who were effective and built a strong rapport with students.

Ask a teacher

Teachers, especially those at private or charter schools, tend to have a good understanding of educational therapy options. Ask your child's teacher or other teachers you know if they can recommend any reputable therapists.

Ask a therapist

If your child already sees an occupational therapist, speech therapist, or other specialist, ask them for recommendations on educational therapists. Therapists often have connections to others in the field of pediatric therapy.

The key is finding an educational therapist who connects well with your child to optimize their progress. Take advantage of free consultations to talk with potential therapists about how they can help.