How to Choose a Tutoring Service When it comes to learning, every child is a little bit different—to take one example, some kids excel at math, while others are more absorbed with arts or reading. The same thing is true when kids struggle to learn: they can also struggle in different ways, with different subjects. That’s why finding the right tutoring service can be a particular challenge for parents. The options can seem overwhelming at first glance—from summer school to tutoring services, brain training, and other forms of support, it’s hard to know where to start. Not every learner benefits from tutoring, for example. These worries can be heightened when your child is dealing with a cognitive difference like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. Which option will suit your child? With the right information, it can be easier to explore various forms of learning support. Let’s review what you’ll want to know ahead of time. Finding The Right Support for Your Learner 3 Pieces of Information to Gather Before you settle on a form of learning support, you’ll want to gather some crucial details. During this time, you’ll want to speak to your child, their teachers, and any other relevant professionals to get a better picture of what’s needed. Bearing that in mind, here are three pieces of information to look for: Identify the issues. To start, you’ll want to narrow down the specific areas where your child is facing struggles. Speaking to their teacher may help. Is there a specific subject where they’re behind the curve? Do they struggle with independent tasks like homework? Are they struggling to stay focused in the classroom? Assess your child’s needs. You and your child’s teacher will probably have a good sense of where they excel. Do they thrive with a challenge? Are they a hands-on learner, or do they require a structured learning environment? This information will guide your choices when it comes to options like a tutor. Discuss cognitive differences. Sometimes, learning differences can play a part in difficulties at school. Identifying and understanding these differences can make a big impact on your child’s daily life. Speak to a professional about potential cognitive differences like dyslexia or ADHD. Evaluating Your Options for Tutoring Once you know what your child needs, it can be a little easier to assess your options. Whether you’re looking at tutoring services, brain training, or another form of assistance, here are a few things that can help you choose the right option for your child: Get to know those involved. When it comes to tutoring or brain training, speaking to those involved can be clarifying. It gives you the chance to learn more about each option, discuss your child’s needs, and to have your questions answered. Research their results. Often, you’ll be able to evaluate the impact of each service—explore online reviews, view studies, or research results. For example, LearningRx has documented our client outcomes to offer more information for parents and educators. Touch base regularly. Once you’ve enrolled your student in a particular program, it’s always helpful to touch base. Ask your child how they’re doing, and follow up with the service as well, to get a sense of progress. Understanding Brain Training vs. Tutoring Services If you’re considering brain training to support your child, you may be wondering: how is it any different from tutoring services? Can brain training replace a tutor altogether? In many cases, tutoring acts as an extension of school, although in a one-on-one format. The goal of tutoring is to review information and concepts previously taught in the classroom. This can be ideal when students thrive in a school environment—but for those who don’t, there’s always brain training. At LearningRx, we don’t focus on re-teaching the concepts covered by teachers. Our goal is to build the underlying learning skills needed to understand those concepts. Through drills and games, students focus on unlocking the skills required for effective thinking and independent learning. This makes brain training a great option for: Those with cognitive differences Those who struggle in class Those who need a challenge Brain training can be a fantastic supplement to tutoring services. It can also be a great alternative when tutoring services haven’t yielded the results you were hoping for. You can always discuss what your child needs—tutoring services, brain training, or a combination—with LearningRx. We encourage you to contact us at 866-BRAIN-01, or to find your local Brain Training Center to get started.