Educational therapists

An educational therapist is a professional who works with young children adolescents and adults for the evaluation and treatment of learning problems and provides remedial Educational Therapy,. These problems may include, but are not limited to, dyslexia; attention deficit disorder; Reading disabilities\reading, writing, language or math problems; academic self-esteem and motivation; social skills; organization and study skills; school and college educational placement; and job performance. As special education legislation and services change and the demands of society grow, the role of the educational therapist is becoming increasingly valuable.

Educational therapists create and implement an Individualized_Education_Program (IEP) that utilizes information from a variety of sources including the child’s social, emotional, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological context.

Educational therapists can also provide case management including communicating with teachers, the school counselor and/or learning specialist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist who may work with the child in order to coordinate services and facilitate better understanding of the child’s learning needs and development. An educational therapist often assists in developing more effective IEP and 504 plans.

''A 504 plan is a legal document that outlines a plan of instructional services for students in the general education setting. Child with ADHD often have a 504 plan. While not an IEP, the document usually describes the types of accommodations that will be made for a child in school. This section contains articles that provide helpful information about 504s and various types of accommodations.''

Educational therapy is a career choice for classroom teachers; resource specialists; special education teachers; speech/language specialists; education specialists in community agencies, hospitals, or clinics; and counselors and social workers. It is also a means for trained therapists (MFTs) to broaden their expertise and therapy skill set, allowing them to work effectively with clients who exhibit learning differences.

Prerequisites/Professional Requirements

While a master's degree in a related field is highly recommended, it is not a prerequisite for admission. Required is appropriate professional experience in classroom or resource teaching, special education, counseling, psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or social work.