As we enter the 2021-2022 school year many families might be experiencing some apprehension. The good news is we have survived the previous year, so kudos to us! With the various methods of instruction this past year it is possible that many students have slid behind their learning goals and may be struggling in some areas. This can cause stress for the child and the parents, but there is help! An Educational Therapist is a personalized support system for your student who will tailor a one-on-one program to focus on specific areas of opportunity and strengthen your child’s skills and restore their confidence. I want to introduce you to Shanna Trombetta, an Educational Therapist with a private practice in West Los Angeles. Shanna is now booking sessions (both in-person and virtually) for the school year. I wanted to sit down and ask her a few questions to get more information about her and about Educational Therapy.
What is your background in education?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Special Education/Psychology and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology both from Marist College in New York. I have been a classroom teacher for 10 years, a literacy coach, a homeschool teacher, and a tutor/learning specialist. I have also worked across cultures with my first teaching job being a 4th grade Special Education teacher on the Leeward side of Hawaii. Most recently I graduated from UC Riverside with a certificate in Educational Therapy and opened my private practice as an Educational Therapist in 2021.
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What is an Educational Therapist?
An Educational Therapist builds on a child’s academic skills and strengths in order to build self-confidence. He or She teaches children skills and strategies to help them manage their learning and thinking differences. They are trained to develop educational plans by giving assessments, tracking progress, and making the appropriate adjustments as needed. Acting as case managers, Educational Therapists coordinate with specialists such as Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Special Education teachers, etc.
What made you decide to go into Educational Therapy?
I decided to go into Educational Therapy because I wanted to empower children to learn and to unlock their unique learning potential. Through my own educational journey, I have realized that I love working one-on-one with students and finding ways to spark their interest. My goal has always been to help children develop a love of learning. Educational Therapists work with children to develop individualized strategies and interventions that can be adaptable in the classroom. I want students to learn in a way that works for their brains. Personally, I have found that working with literacy remediation/dyslexia is my passion and that is the focus of my practice.
What is the difference between a tutor and an ET?
This is a great question! There are some similarities in that both are there to support the student and both work one-on-one. However, one has more of a macro focus and one more micro. A tutor has more of a microfocus. They often assist more with homework and specific content areas. Many tutors focus on specific areas of expertise only and are great resources if your child needs very specific help in certain subjects. A tutor doesn’t generally collaborate with allied professionals or form cohesive intervention educational plans. They have varying educational levels and are not clinicians.
On the other hand, an Educational Therapist must have a Bachelor’s degree or a Postgraduate degree. They work in a more macro capacity. Taking into account the child’s learning journey thus far and targeting the areas that need support. They work to develop instructional interventions plans based on the latest brain research. They are also trained to conduct and analyze comprehensive standardized interventions. Educational Therapists also work alongside allied professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Social Workers, and Psychologists to form a cohesive educational plan. Educational Therapists also make it a point to stay on top of current research and information in Education.
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What is the biggest hold-up for parents who may need an ET for their children?
The biggest hold-ups that I have seen are the cost and the time commitment. However, the rewards far outweigh the inconveniences. When you can have a team of qualified individuals to support your child, it is worth it to pursue Educational Therapy. When children feel confident about their learning and have strategies that help them in the classroom, frustration will be alleviated and they can start to make progress. With a qualified individual developing a plan for their child and collaborating with teachers and other professionals that the child works with, stress for the parents can be greatly reduced.
My child’s teacher suggested I look into having my child tested for learning development issues. Do you provide testing?
Yes, based on my Educational Psychology post-graduate degree and Educational Therapy degree, I am qualified to provide an educational assessment for your child. Assessments in my practice focus on literacy remediation. K-5 assessments are also offered.
If a parent is interested in having their child tested, what should I do?
First, go to my website www.trombettatherapy.com and book a free discovery call. Once the discovery call is complete, we can move forward with an assessment. Then we will have a Parent Meeting to discuss the findings and possible next steps.
If a parent is interested in seeking services, what should they do first?
Contact me for a discovery call! During this call, the client can share Educational Therapy goals, their child’s strengths, and areas that are challenging. From this call, parents and the therapist can determine if working together will be a good fit and discuss the next steps.
Do you provide virtual sessions or in person?
Sessions are provided in-person and virtually around the globe! In-person sessions are located in my West LA office space, but I am also working with clients on the East Coast and the Bay area.
The biggest piece of advice for parents navigating the educational landscape right now.
My greatest piece of advice to parents is to remain mindful of meeting their children where they are now. All children work at their own pace, and we should honor their strengths and brilliant minds!
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Trombetta Therapy
12304 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
trombettatutoring@gmail.com
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