Educational therapists' training and specialized experience can vary greatly, so when searching for an ET, it is important to look closely at the therapist’s qualifications and ask about their experience with your child’s diagnosis and individual circumstances. It’s not only important to find an ET who can work with your child’s specific learning needs but also your child’s personality. The ET needs to first establish a supportive relationship with your child with the use of positive reinforcement. The specialized training and experience required to work with children who have learning challenges means that an educational therapist will cost more than a tutor.
To begin your search for an educational therapist, you can use the Association of Educational Therapists online educational therapist locator to find an ET in your area by entering your zip code and specific search criteria. AET verifies the training background of ETs at the Associate, ET/Professional, and Board Certified levels. Alternately, you may wish to start your search for an ET by getting referrals from one or several of your child’s specialists or providers (including your Regional Center).
For more information about Educational Therapy, including links to further resources, see Educational Therapy 101.
