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September 25, 2023
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Knowing When to Bring In a Tutor
By Daniel Franklin, Ph.D
As a parent, you are in the best position to know what type of support your child needs. But when your child is learning a subject that is difficult for you to explain, or when working on homework together creates far more tension than support, it’s time to consider getting outside help.
Choose a tutor who is a good personality match for your child and someone who has an awareness of your child’s learning and behavioral characteristics. The experience and expertise of tutors vary enormously, as do their rates. When choosing a tutor, vet them carefully. Seed a recommendation from a trusted friend or school personnel. Vetting could include requesting college transcripts, getting a background check, checking references, and conducting an interview.
Spend your money wisely. Bringing a tutor on board can rapidly turn into a significant investment; however, infrequent sessions can be ineffective and possibly wasteful. Unless your child only needs help reviewing for a test or proofreading a paper, effective support requires frequency and consistency.
Clearly state your goals. Share effective strategies, and work with the tutor to structure sessions in a way that addresses the most significant issues. Think of the tutor as your partner, but also allow your child and the tutor a certain degree of autonomy. In general, sessions will be more effective when your child and tutor are able to forge a healthy bond and approach the demands of schoolwork as a team.
This article is excerpted from Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities (Strategies to Succeed in School and Life with Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, ADHD, and Auditory Processing Disorder), by Daniel Franklin, Ph.D.; published by New Harbinger Publications (2018). Available at Amazon through this link: Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities. Dr. Franklin is a Board Certified Educational Therapist and the founder of Franklin Educational Services.