Siena Blog

When looking for additional educational support, it’s important to explore different tutoring options and ask the right questions to ensure the best fit for your child’s needs. Let Siena help you navigate the important process, from exploring tutoring options for your child to starting the tutoring.

Finding a Tutor for K-12 Students

For students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, it’s especially important to know education professionals’ training credentials and teaching methods. This will ensure that LD students benefit from working individually with experienced tutors to improve their subject-area knowledge and/or executive functioning skills.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) recommends that families ask about teaching and other educational work experience and specific training in LD educational methods. IDA’s website has more information about support for dyslexic students, including pieces on effective reading instruction and evaluating educational professionals.

Determining Your Child’s Needs

Before searching for a tutor, identify the specific areas where the student needs help:

• Subject-Specific Areas (e.g., math, reading, science)
• Decoding and other skills related to reading
• Study skills, executive functioning, and organization
• Specialized Support (e.g., learning disabilities, ESOL support)
• Test Prep (e.g., SAT, ACT, state exams)

Searching for a Tutor

• Ask your child’s teachers or counselor(s) if they have specific recommendations 
• Reach out to a local school that specializes in your child’s area of improvement and ask if they have recommendations or resources available
• Check local community centers and libraries for tutoring programs
• Ask your social media network if they know of any tutors or tutoring services  
• Use online communities Nextdoor or your neighborhood list-serv to find local tutors.

Communication and Key Questions to Ask 

Here are some questions you could be asking to help find the best tutoring fit and—particularly for LD students—to determine the ideal tutoring methods and set reasonable expectations:

• What experience do they have with LD students and accommodations for neurodivergent learners (e.g., visuals, fidgets, multisensory methods, or assistive technology)?
• What training do they have in structured literacy approaches, such as Lindamood-Bell, Orton-Gillingham, and advanced phonemic awareness and morphology training?
• What experience do they have teaching the specific grade level? What are their subject areas of expertise?
• How do they adapt to the student’s learning style (visual, auditory, hands-on, etc.)? Can they provide personalized lesson plans?
• Are they available after school, during school hours or on weekends? Can they provide in-person or online sessions based on your needs?

Setting Up an Initial Consultation

These are typically short meetings in which the tutor and/or program director will share information on how the tutoring process works, their distinctive teaching methods, available tutor(s), payment structure, and so on.

For example, Siena Tutors uses this enrollment process for new tutoring services:

• Initial Inquiry Form (see here)
• Initial Consultation (free)
• Educational Intake (e.g., to determine specific needs or review a diagnosis)
• Registration, Scheduling, and Payment Process

It could be helpful to schedule an additional meeting either with the director of tutoring or with the tutor to discuss key topics, such as: more in-depth sharing of the student’s educational needs, sharing of educational assessments, and/or sharing formal diagnosis.

All of this foundational work helps the tutor assess the student’s individual needs and learning style. A good program will want to ensure the best possible tutoring fit for your child and be able to provide references for the tutor.

At the beginning stages of a tutoring arrangement, it’s important to set clear goals and expectations for the sessions. Then, after every few sessions, be sure to maintain open communication with the tutor to track your child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Siena Blog and Resources

For additional relevant information from The Siena School blog, see our Parents and Community category, as well as previous posts about tech detoxing for teens in school and common language in LD education.

The Siena School, a national leader in dyslexia education, serves bright, college-bound students with language-based learning differences on campuses in Silver Spring, MD (grades 3-4 and 5-12) and Oakton, VA (grades 3-12).