Reading Tutors vs. Speech Language Pathologists
Reading can be a challenge for children and can affect their academic and professional success. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) explains the importance of communication skills well: “You need language skills to communicate. And you need to communicate to learn. Reading, writing, gesturing, listening, and speaking are all forms of language. The better your communication skills, the better you will do in school.”
If your child is having difficulties with reading, you may be wondering who to turn to for help. The top two choices are often reading tutors and speech language pathologists. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between reading tutors, speech language pathologists, and the services they provide.
Reading Tutors vs. Speech Language Pathologists
What is a reading tutor?
A reading tutor is an individual who provides supplemental reading support. They may be highly educated professionals such as reading specialists, but could also be a general education teacher or even a student who excels in a specific area of study. They may or may not have any formal training and they are not required to have ongoing professional development training.
Since tutors are not required to participate in continuing education, they may have limited background, training, and experience in specific reading programs or approaches.
What is a speech language pathologist?
A speech language pathologist (SLP) is an expert in communication and the skills needed to communicate effectively (including reading, writing, gesturing, etc.). They are required to maintain state licensure and often hold a certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) which indicates they have maintained their clinical competencies by participating in continuing education. Regardless of whether or not the SLP maintains their ASHA certification, the SLP is required to participate in continuing education to maintain state licensure
Many SLPs participate in continuing education courses related to literacy. Knowledge and experience of a variety of literacy programs and current practices allows the SLP to select from one program or parts of programs that may best work for each student. In addition, SLPs do not solely focus on reading, but incorporate all aspects of related-communication needs to ensure optimal results. For example, many SLPs use the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading, which is a language-based, multi-sensory approach, and uses a structured method to teach children to read at the word level. With the Orton-Gillingham approach, the child will learn letter-sound correlation through multi-sensory activities, like tracing a letter in sand. Children also learn certain rules and patterns behind reading and build on these skills over time.
Roles in Reading Intervention
The roles of an SLP and a reading tutor in reading intervention differ in a number of ways. It’s important to seek out support based on your child’s specific needs.
Reading tutors typically help students recoup skills following regression or to help children increase their skill to match their instructional level at school. They focus solely on reading (e.g., decoding, reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary) and it is unlikely they will address underlying speech and/or language disorders.
An SLP performs a complete assessment of the student's language, phonological awareness, reading, spelling, and writing, which are all critical components in learning to read. Results of the assessment helps the SLP understand the child’s specific strengths and weaknesses, and develop a treatment plan to address all areas related to reading and communication for optimal success.
Reading instruction is not a “one size fits all” process. When seeking support, the individual should have advanced training in treating your child’s specific reading difficulty to help them meet their goal. They should additionally consider your child’s overall communication-related needs.
Reading tutoring and speech-language therapy are both valuable services, but they have different goals. Reading tutors focus primarily on reading instruction, while SLPs have a broader scope, addressing a wide range of communication disorders and their impact on reading and literacy. It is important to keep this information in mind when seeking support for your child’s reading difficulties. Hillary is trained in reading interventions and can help your child improve their communication. Contact us at Bellflower Speech, Language & Literacy Pediatric Therapy for more information!