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Private tutoring vs group tutoring. Independent tutors vs tutoring companies. Online tutoring vs in-person tutoring. There are so many options for tutoring services these days it can be overwhelming! It is particularly overwhelming if your child has a learning disability. Typically developing children with average attention spans, average reading abilities, or average social skills, have a plethora of tutoring options available to them. The tutoring industry as a whole is geared toward traditional learners. This is a gross oversight by the tutoring industry! But, The Borten Institute for Learning Disabilities wants you to be empowered. Here are a few tips to consider when looking for tutors for children with learning disabilities. Finding A Tutor for Children with Learning Disabilities Consider the Disability It is recommended that you have general knowledge about your child’s learning disability. Find out what their unique set of needs are and how the disability condition impacts their learning. You want to be able to communicate those needs when speaking with prospective tutors. For example, if your child has anxiety, be able to explain their specific socio-emotional and academic needs. Anxiety comes in many different forms. So, just saying “anxiety” does not give a clear perspective on the specific needs of your child. Overall, you want to have a clear understanding of how well they understand the disability condition and if they have the skill set to address your child’s unique needs. Consider Asking A Friend Sometimes the best recommendations for tutors may come from friends, teachers, and other associates in your concentric circle. Actively seek out parent groups and interest clubs surrounding topics that relate to your child’s disability. It very likely that a parent like you, is also looking for tutorials for their child who has similar needs as yours. Parent groups or interest clubs are typically located at community churches, counseling facilities, and even medical offices. Also, you are certain to find virtual groups on various social media platforms as well. Inquire about who they know, use, and trust. Sometimes the best recommendations are just one conversation or text message away. Consider Tutoring Philosophies Lastly, when considering individual tutors and tutoring companies, be sure to research their respective philosophies on education. Lots of different individuals and companies tout following educational philosophies that originate in a variety of regions across the globe. For example, one popular tutoring franchise in Texas aligns closely with ancient Asian practices of education. Their beliefs are that children should be individualistic in their learning and explore learning material at their free will. They believe learning occurs in self-directed exploration and unguided discovery. Tutors at this company serve more like guides or facilitators, as opposed to teachers. This approach may be suitable for traditional learners or children without learning disabilities. But, this may not be the best option if your child needs a more structured approach or becomes easily overwhelmed. It is beneficial to research tutoring philosophies when looking for a tutor. Consider the Cost Last, but certainly not least, another main factor is cost. Nationally, the average cost for tutoring per hour is $60. Throw in conditions such as dyslexia, autism, or ADD and you are looking at paying upwards of $120 per hour! Tutoring for special needs learners can be 2x more expensive. Parents should not be penalized price-wise for needing academic services that traditional learners access at half the price! A few suggestions that may help curve cost are: considering using medical insurance where possible, decrease the frequency of sessions, or ask if there is a cheaper group rate available. In summary, when seeking tutoring services for children with learning disabilities consider the disability condition, ask a friend, consider tutoring philosophies, and count the cost. For help with finding a tutor for children with learning disabilities, click here. Did you find these practical tips useful? Sign up for our email list to get helpful articles delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here at http://eepurl.com/g8Vjij
4 Comments
7/14/2021 02:51:52 pm
I like how you said to find out what needs they need for their specific disability condition. My sister was telling me last night about how she needs to find a tutor to help her son because he has a math learning disability, and she wants to make sure that she can find the right one to hire. I'll make sure to pass this information along to her as she searches for a tutor.
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11/8/2021 11:16:01 pm
Collaboration is essential to learning, and distance hasn't changed that it's probably more essential than ever. Students benefit from sharing their ideas and considering and building on the ideas of others.
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It really helped when you said that we can find tutors from friends and by looking at various groups related to the disability of our child. I might need to find a private dyslexia tutoring service for my son because he has been having a hard time identifying similar-looking letters. So it would be best to get the help of a professional as early as no so that he will be able to cope with reading as he grows older.
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2/15/2024 06:19:02 pm
I appreciate it when you explained that the cost of special needs tutoring will be around $120 and up per hour. I should tell my sister about this if ever her son gets diagnosed with a learning disability once she takes him to a specialist. She just noticed that her son is having a hard time learning the letters and reading at the age of seven.
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AuthorNikita Borten Archives
December 2020
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