Choosing a tutor for a child with learning difficulties
Should I hire a tutor?
By Forging Roots Education · Originally published 1 February 2022
Original article and dated context
Forging Roots Education is founded by a learning difficulties specialist. Our multi-sensory, evidence-based programmes are individualised and targeted to each student.
After almost 2 years of interrupted schooling due to covid, you may be seeing a decline in your child’s academic performance. Your child with special needs or learning disabilities may have lost confidence or motivation to learn and you are worried they are beginning to shut off from learning. Perhaps you see untapped potential in your child that has not been uncovered by their school. Or maybe you feel frustrated and helpless that your child hasn’t received the most appropriate specialist support and you worry about their future.
If this sounds like you, you may be considering hiring a tutor.
Tutoring gives your child individualised educational support that they would otherwise not receive in a busy and fast-paced classroom. This individualised support benefits both students who are falling behind, and those who could benefit from additional time to practice skills to ensure they are secure.
Here are 6 questions you should ask a potential tutor to help you choose the right person.
Are you a specialist tutor?
A specialist tutor provides personalised educational support to individuals with specific needs or learning disabilities. They will be focussed on helping individuals achieve their goals of becoming more independent, acquiring employment skills, or lessening the impact of a disability or developmental delay.
What qualifications do you have? What experience do you have with children with special needs or learning disabilities?
Look for a specialist tutor who is also a qualified teacher or holds another relevant degree. These tutors will have the most appropriate training. They will be up to date with the curriculum, have knowledge about evidence-based interventions and be able to draw on their knowledge of learning theory and child development.
A tutor who has a background of teaching children with special needs and learning disabilities will be familiar difficulties in learning to read and write, and learn maths. They will understand the factors that create learning difficulties such as medical, physical, neurological, opportunities, family, and experiences. They will be able to tailor their teaching methods to your child's current holistic needs, allowing your child to learn more successfully. They will also be able to advise you on strategies for the home.
A non-qualified, un-specialised tutor will not have the expertise, background and training to draw upon, and this will inevitably result in lost time and money.
How do you work with reluctant students?
Look for a tutor that will meet your child where they are at that particular moment. A good tutor will identify quick wins that helps them gain trust, and draw up an initial plan of small steps that will be built upon. Once they get to know your child better, they will then be able to devise a program based around your child’s specific and preferred learning style. Individualised tuition from a compassionate tutor can increase confidence and self-esteem while minimising feelings of overwhelm and frustration.
How do you deal with anxious students?
Developing a relationship with their tutor is critical to your child’s learning success. It is especially important if your child is anxious, lacks self-confidence, or has not previously achieved success in a subject. Look for a tutor who creates a positive, safe, and supportive environment for your child so that they feel valued and motivated to succeed. A tutor who is warm, approachable, patient, and understanding will instil confidence in your child.
How will you deal with my child’s barriers to learning?
Look for a tutor that recommends conducting a complete assessment of your child's needs to identify any barriers to learning. A tutor should next devise a strategy for accommodations to overcome such obstacles. If your child has attention difficulties, for example, this plan could incorporate engaging multi-sensory learning, practical-based activities and movement breaks. If your child struggles to understand the language used in lessons, this plan could include teaching and exploring the language of maths and English, comprehension strategies and metacognitive techniques. If your child has physical disabilities and has trouble writing with a pen, this plan could incorporate the use of assistive technologies.
How will you ensure my child progresses?
An effective tutor should assess for knowledge gaps before carefully planning systematic, cumulative actions to fill such gaps. They will be able to identify your child’s challenges and the steps necessary to remedy them. This will ensure that they make the best possible educational progress.
Take home message
When hiring a tutor for your child with special needs or learning disabilities, it is important to get it right. The right tutor will help your child acquire lifelong strategies to help them manage their learning difficulties. They will help your child build a solid foundation of skills, knowledge, and confidence. This will ensure that the foundation for their future learning is secure.
Forging Roots Education provides tutoring to children and adults with learning disabilities, special needs, complex communication needs and NDIS participants who are plan managed and self-managed.
Separate learning goals, school adjustments and private tuition
Ask the school what adjustments are in place, what is being reviewed and where difficulties remain. Include your child’s own account of lessons, fatigue and confidence. A tutor may be one option, but an additional paid service should not obscure the school’s existing responsibilities.
Ask a prospective tutor to explain relevant experience, the proposed approach and how progress will be discussed. Agree a review point and what would lead you to change the arrangement. Request clear prices and cancellation terms. Do not treat claims about a learning style or assured progress as proof of suitability. The education standards explain the school-access framework.
Be precise about the service and its funding basis
Distinguish tuition from disability-related support and explain what you are proposing before invoicing. Do not imply that a plan manager’s involvement makes an otherwise excluded purchase eligible. Obtain appropriate consent before exchanging information with a school, and describe expected benefits without promising a particular educational outcome.
Questions readers ask
Does plan management make tutoring NDIS-funded?
No. The purchase itself must meet current support rules. Official guidance
Should private tuition replace school adjustments?
No. Discuss the school’s responsibilities separately. Official guidance
Find support that fits your child’s needs
For disability support beyond ordinary tuition, describe the assistance you are seeking through Clickability. Compare providers and clarify the service, school responsibilities and funding before booking.
