What is an Ed Therapist?

An educational therapist (ed therapist) is a professional who specializes in helping students with learning differences and disabilities to overcome academic challenges and reach their full potential. They work with students of all ages, from elementary school through college and beyond, and may specialize in specific areas such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other learning challenges.

One example of an educational therapist at work might be a student who has been struggling with reading due to dyslexia. The therapist would work with the student to identify their specific challenges and develop a personalized plan to help them overcome those challenges. This might involve using specific reading strategies or technologies, such as audiobooks or speech-to-text software, that can help the student better understand and retain information. The therapist would also work closely with the student's teachers and parents to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the student is receiving the support they need both in and out of the classroom.

Another example might be a college student who is struggling with time management and executive functioning skills. The educational therapist might work with the student to develop a schedule and routine that works for them, teach them organizational strategies and study skills, and help them build their self-regulation and self-advocacy skills. This might involve teaching the student how to break down complex assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks, or helping them learn how to prioritize their time and avoid procrastination.

A story of an educational therapist's impact on a student's life might be a young girl who had always struggled with math. She had been diagnosed with dyscalculia, a learning disability that makes it difficult to process numbers and perform mathematical calculations. Despite the extra help she was receiving in school, she continued to struggle and became increasingly discouraged.

Her parents decided to hire an educational therapist who specialized in dyscalculia. The therapist worked with the girl to identify the specific challenges she was facing and develop a personalized plan to help her overcome them. This included using visual aids and manipulatives to help her better understand math concepts, as well as teaching her specific strategies for solving math problems. Over time, the girl's confidence and skills improved dramatically, and she was able to achieve success in math that she had never thought possible. With the help of her educational therapist, she was able to overcome her learning challenges and reach her full potential.