educational therapy

Educational therapy is personalized remedial instruction for individuals with learning differences and disabilities.The primary goal of educational therapy is to foster self-confident, independent learners who understand their learning profiles and can advocate for themselves. ETs specialize in using research-based, scaffolded, and multi-sensory methods that are prescriptive.

ETs work as a team with parents, teachers, and other allied professionals to support their students in order to develop generalization and independence.  

Educational therapists have extensive training and experience administering and interpreting assessments and neuropsych evaluations, developing intervention plans, setting goals, and teaching strategies to address challenges with reading, writing, spelling, math, organization, and study skills. Educational therapists have a masters degree, specialized training, and experience working with students who present with a wide range of learning disabilities. They understand the social, behavioral, and emotional aspects that have an affect on learning.​  

The kind of students who benefit from Educational Therapy often have difficulties “learning how to learn.” An educational therapist goes beyond teaching content and combines educational and therapeutic approaches to create a safe space for individuals with learning challenges to understand their own learning needs, receive the prescriptive intervention and scaffolding they need to bring about academic progress, and develop the kind of tools that bring about independence as a learner and self-advocate.

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY CAN BENEFIT STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH:

• Completing homework or schoolwork in a timely manner
• Understanding math concepts or recalling math facts
• Phonemic awareness/phonics
• Fluency
• Comprehension
• Spelling
• Following oral or written directions
• Expressing ideas orally or in writing
• Time management
• Study skills
• Organizational skills
• Working independently
• Struggle with attention
• Write slowly or very little
• Limited vocabulary

For more information on educational therapy, visit The Association of Educational Therapists website.

subject tutoring

Subject specific tutoring is for students that are wanting to focus on one specific subject like writing, math, or executive functioning. The goal is to meet current classroom needs and to expand on relevant skill sets. The focus of the sessions will revolve around school work like homework support and test preparation.  It is geared toward students that are close to, meet, or are above grade level. 

For some students, school is just not enough to cultivate a passion or interest in a subject. We work with students that want to develop further in subject areas by creating an individualized plan to supplement growth. 

We focus on English/language arts, math (kindergarten-algebra), history, and science. 

test prep

We work with students that want to improve their performance on placement tests and testing skills in general. Testing can be intimidating, and we can help break down skills and strategies needed to go in with confidence. 

For placement tests, we focus on the ISEE, HSPT, SSAT, etc. Many schools are also doing timed writing prompts now, which has been a main area of focus for a lot of our students. We assess and create an individualized plan for each student to meet, improve, and then exceed expectations so that they can put their best foot forward when applying to schools. Our students know what the goals are, know what the readers are wanting to see, and are confident going into the tasks at hand. 

For general test prep, we work with students on strategies around test anxiety, what to expect, testing skills, timing, how to study, creating study guides, creating notecards, etc. We collect baselines and develop an individualized plan for improvement to make each session completely tailored to that student’s needs. 

family services/advocacy

Navigating the complex and technical special education world can be intimidating and challenging. Parents want to know and feel comfortable that their children are receiving the support they need. Kim Donellan Educational Services LLC provides individual support through:

• Helping parents request assessments
• Analyzing assessment reports, helping parents really understand what every aspect means
• Discussing SSTs, 504 Plans, and IEPs
• Eligibility
• Identifying additional testing that needs to be done

Reviewing the IEP, making sure: 

• Baselines are adequately written
• Goals are adequately written
• Goals are appropriate
• Goals are written in all areas identified by the assessment
• Appropriate short-term objectives 
• Helping parents prepare for meetings
• Discussing concerns about progress
• Attending meetings

Kim has completed the Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT 2.0) through Council of Parents, Advocates, and Attorneys (COPAA).

Kim has worked as an advocate on Project Yea! with the Department of Family and Children’s Services to advocate for foster youth since 2017. She has worked with hundreds of families through consultations where she is paired with an education attorney. 

She helps guide families through the process, even attending meetings and working with the school districts. 

We also help families create home programs or supplemental programs for students. Sometimes, a typical school setting isn’t what a family or student wants. We are here to help guide families on how to make that possible.