Finding a special education tutor in Florida can feel overwhelming, especially if your child has ADHD, dyslexia, autism, executive functioning challenges, or other learning difficulties. The right tutor can make an immense difference in their academic performance and self-confidence. However, not every tutor is the right fit for your child.
This article breaks down what you should look for in a special education tutor in Florida and how you can find the ideal match for your child.
What is a special education tutor?
A special education tutor uses a much more specialized approach than a generic tutor or homework helper. While some tutors may provide schoolwork support or read with your child, if your child has specialized learning needs, it’s important that they work with an experienced special education tutor. An effective special education tutor should be able to:
- Evaluate your child prior to starting the tutoring sessions
- Create an individualized tutoring plan based on your child’s needs
- Help students with IEPs or 504 Plans
- Use research-based, multi-sensory techniques for reading, writing, and math
- Be positive and help your child strengthen their self-esteem
The right special education tutor should help your child not only build their academic skills but become more enthusiastic about learning and motivated to excel.
What should you look for in a special education tutor?
When trying to find the right tutor for your child, there are several qualities you should look for:
1. Experience with your child’s specific needs
Some tutors may specialize in reading, while others might have expertise in high level math or science. Not all tutors have expertise in the skills your child needs help with. It’s important to find a special education tutor who has extensive experience working with other students like your child.
When trying to find the right special education tutor for your child, look for experience with:
- ADHD, including helping students with their attention and executive functioning skills
- Dyslexia, including using the Orton Gillingham approach to help students build their reading and spelling skills
- Autism, including helping students with their academic and communication skills
- Other learning disabilities, including using research-based, multi-sensory techniques for reading, writing, and math
A specialized tutor who has extensive experience working with students like your child should use the appropriate strategies with them to help them excel.
2. Use of evidence-based methods
Effective special education tutoring should be evidence-based and customized to your child’s unique needs.
When searching for a special education tutor, look for:
- Orton Gillingham tutoring, especially for students with dyslexia or reading challenges
- Multi-sensory instruction, which integrates the visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic modalities simultaneously
- Structured, step-by-step teaching
- Systematic tutoring plans where previously taught concepts are integrated into future lessons
Read more about Orton Gillingham tutoring in Florida at https://knowledgeplustutoring.com/what-is-orton-gillingham-tutoring-a-guide-for-parents/
3. Executive Functioning coaching
Many students, especially those with ADHD, struggle not just academically, but also with their executive functioning skills. These skills include:
- Organization
- Planning
- Time management
- Task initiation
- Study skills
- Homework management
Learn more about executive functioning coaching in Florida at https://knowledgeplustutoring.com/adhd-tutoring-near-me-how-to-find-the-right-tutor-for-your-child/
An effective special education tutor should evaluate your child’s needs and integrate executive functioning coaching strategies into the tutoring sessions if your child needs help with these skills.
4. Florida Step Up for Students Scholarships for tutoring
Many students receive special education tutoring without any out-of-pocket expenses for parents through the Step Up for Students scholarship program. If your child qualifies, these scholarships cover educational programs and services such as:
- Special education tutoring
- Orton Gillingham instruction
- Executive functioning coaching
- Specialized reading tutoring
- Specialized writing tutoring
- Specialized math tutoring
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Educational materials
- Other related products and services
Some parents may not realize that private tutoring can be covered through Step Up for Students scholarship funding.
When looking for a tutor for your child, ask the tutoring program if they accept Step Up for Students scholarship funding for tutoring.
Read more about Step Up for Students scholarships for tutoring at https://knowledgeplustutoring.com/how-to-use-step-up-scholarships-for-students-with-learning-challenges-in-florida/
5. Background and expertise
When looking for the right special education tutor for your child, try to find tutors who have backgrounds in the following areas.
- Special education teachers
- Reading specialists
- Writing specialists
- Math specialists
- Expertise in the Orton Gillingham approach
- Expertise in executive functioning skills
While a tutor’s background is important, it’s also critical that they use research-based, multi-sensory techniques most suitable to your child’s needs.
6. Individualized tutoring plans
Students with specialized learning needs, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, processing delays, and other learning challenges, respond best to one-on-one, individualized tutoring, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
When trying to identify the best tutor for your child, look for:
- Initial assessments prior to the start of tutoring
- Individualized tutoring plans
- Evidence, multi-sensory techniques
- Progress updates and parent communication
Which questions should you ask before hiring a tutor?
It’s always a good idea to ask questions before you decide on a tutor for your child. You may want to ask the tutoring program you are considering the following questions:
- Have you worked with many other students with my child’s specific needs?
- Which teaching methods do you use?
- Do you use evidence-based, multi-sensory methodologies?
- Do you offer executive functioning coaching if my child needs help in that area?
- Do you accept Step Up for Students funding for tutoring?
- How do you communicate progress updates with parents?
Closing thoughts
Finding the right special education tutor in Florida can be life-changing for your child. They can help your child:
- Improve their academic skills
- Develop stronger executive functioning skills
- Build their self-confidence
- Reduce frustration
- Become more independent
When looking for a tutor, make sure you find someone who specializes in working with students like your child and uses the right evidence-based, multi-sensory techniques that are most appropriate for them.
Are you looking for a special education tutor in Florida?
Knowledge Plus Tutoring can help! We are a Step Up for Students approved tutoring provider offering one-on-one tutoring for students throughout Florida.
We specialize in:
- Dyslexia tutoring
- Orton Gillingham instruction
- ADHD and executive functioning coaching
- Autism tutoring
- Learning disability instruction
- Reading, writing, and math support using research-based, multi-sensory techniques
We provide in-home tutoring throughout Florida and virtual tutoring nationwide.
Contact us to see how we can help your child excel and learn how to use your Step Up funds effectively.
Our Boca Raton location is located at 433 Plaza Real, Suite 275, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. Our Orlando location is located at 480 North Orlando Avenue, Suite 236, Winter Park, FL 32789. We provide in-home tutoring throughout Florida, and we also provide online tutoring nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Tutoring
Can I use Step Up for Students scholarship funds to pay for a tutor?
Yes! If your child qualifies for a Step Up for Students scholarship, there is a good chance tutoring will be covered. Check with the tutoring program to make sure they are a Step Up approved tutoring provider before your child begins their tutoring lessons.
How often should my child see a special education tutor?
The frequency that your child receives tutoring varies based on the needs of each student. While some students may only need 1-2 sessions per week, others may need more frequent sessions if they have more severe learning challenges.
Is virtual tutoring effective for special education students?
Virtual tutoring can be a great option for special education students. It allows for more flexible scheduling and offers access to specialized tutors who may not be available in your local area.
How long does it take to see results from special education tutoring?
The pace of progress from tutoring varies from student to student. Some students show progress very quickly while others need more time and repetition. However, with the right frequency and evidence-based techniques, many students show progress within the first month of tutoring.
Dr. Emily Levy, the executive director of Knowledge Plus Tutoring, holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has been helping special education students through one-on-one tutoring for twenty years. She frequently speaks at national educational conferences and appears as an educational expert on podcasts. She is the author of the Strategies for Study Success, Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham, and Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook programs, all of which are used by students and schools nationwide.
