When to Choose Speech Therapy Over Tutoring for a Child with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties
Kate Morling - Certified Practising Speech Pathologist at Communicate with Kate Speech Therapy
Parents navigating their child’s literacy challenges often face a common dilemma: should we invest in speech therapy or opt for regular tutoring? While both services can offer valuable support, understanding the differences can help you make the best choice for your child’s needs.
The Root Cause Matters
Dyslexia and literacy difficulties often stem from challenges with phonological processing—the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. These skills are foundational for decoding words, spelling, and reading fluency. A speech pathologist specializes in identifying and addressing these underlying language-based difficulties, while a tutor typically focuses on teaching grade-level content or specific academic skills. If your child struggles with the mechanics of language, such as phonics or phonemic awareness, speech therapy may be the better option.
Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy
Here are some key indicators that speech therapy could be more appropriate than tutoring:
Persistent Difficulty with Phonics: If your child cannot break words into sounds or struggles to match letters with sounds despite repeated teaching, they may benefit from targeted phonological interventions.
Challenges with Oral Language: Literacy skills are closely tied to oral language development. Children who have trouble following directions, understanding complex sentences, or expressing themselves clearly might have underlying language issues impacting their reading and writing.
Frustration with Learning: If your child is consistently frustrated despite working hard, it’s worth assessing whether a language-based difficulty, such as dyslexia, is at the root of the problem.
History of Delayed Speech or Language Development: Kids who had delays in speaking their first words or forming sentences may be at higher risk for literacy difficulties later on.
Poor Progress with Traditional Tutoring: If tutoring hasn’t significantly improved your child’s literacy skills, it might be time to address deeper, language-based issues through speech therapy.
How Speech Therapy Addresses Literacy Challenges
Speech pathologists take a systematic, evidence-based approach to help children with literacy difficulties. Here’s what makes their work unique:
Comprehensive Assessment: A speech pathologist can identify specific areas of difficulty, such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, or grammar, through thorough testing.
Tailored Interventions: Therapy sessions are customized to your child’s needs, targeting skills like decoding, spelling, and reading comprehension while building oral language abilities.
Holistic Perspective: Speech pathologists address the interplay between spoken and written language, helping children build a strong foundation for learning across all areas.
Evidence-Based Techniques: Programs like the Orton-Gillingham approach, Lindamood-Bell’s LiPS, or Sounds Write are often used by speech therapists to address dyslexia.
When Tutoring is the Right Choice
Tutoring can be beneficial when:
The Challenge is Academic, Not Language-Based: If your child understands the mechanics of reading but needs help catching up on grade-level material, a tutor might be the right fit.
Specific Subject Support is Needed: A math tutor or writing coach can help with content-specific skills that go beyond the scope of speech therapy.
Your Child Thrives with Practice: Some children simply need additional time and guided repetition to master academic concepts.
Combining Both Services
For some children, the best approach may involve a combination of speech therapy and tutoring. Speech therapy can address the underlying language issues, while tutoring reinforces what they’re learning in therapy and supports broader academic goals. Collaboration between your child’s speech therapist, tutor, and school can create a cohesive plan to maximize progress.
How to Decide
Making the choice between speech therapy and tutoring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by seeking a professional assessment to determine the root cause of your child’s challenges. From there, work with experts to create a tailored plan that supports their unique needs and sets them up for long-term success.
Keeping Costs Down
Speech therapy can be an investment, but starting with it to address foundational language and literacy skills can actually save money in the long run. Once your child has developed these essential skills, transitioning to regular tutoring for ongoing academic support can be more cost-effective. Periodic check-ins with a speech pathologist can ensure your child stays on track without requiring continuous therapy, making this approach both impactful and budget-friendly.
Remember, early intervention is key. Whether through speech therapy, tutoring, or both, taking action now can make a world of difference for your child’s confidence and abilities.