This is a difficult question! If the learning disability has a language basis (which many do), in the ideal world it would be optimal to have both a speech-language pathologist and a tutor working with your child.
A tutor we have worked with provided an excellent analogy. Speech-language pathologists teach students how to use all the tools in the kitchen (mixer, frying pan, stove, measuring cup, recipes, etc.) so that they know how to cook. Tutors ensure that students utilize these tools correctly in order to prepare meals.
So speech-language pathologists teach the broad skills to allow success in learning (both in school and out in the real world) and tutors help students make use of these skills in particular courses. Please see the handout about Language Based Learning Disabilities on the Our Services page of this website.
You will likely just need a tutor if your child:
- is just struggling with a particular course (e.g., science, math, etc.),
- seems to be doing relatively well, but just needs extra time or repetition,
- just needs help with particular assignments.
You should involve a speech-language pathologist if your child has the following difficulties, regardless of the particular subject:
- oral reading
- reading comprehension (i.e., understanding novels or textbooks)
- writing (i.e., writing stories or essays)
- note-taking (i.e., listening to the teacher and efficiently translating the information into helpful notes)
- studying for tests
You should also contact a speech-language pathologist if your child has previously been to a tutor or learning centre and has not experienced significant improvement. It may be that time and repetition aren’t sufficient and your child may instead need a thorough analysis of his or her cognitive-language system in order to revamp how they learn.