An Educational Therapist has specific training to provide instruction to students, teachers, and parents. They are private instructors with expertise in metacognition and compensatory learning strategies. Educational Therapists are able to teach specific tools that allow students to connect their school work to their learning. They also have advanced training and degrees in fields like special education. By utilizing their experience they are able to offer a new approach to the subject matter, which aids students who have a learning difference. Many Educational Therapists are able to provide expertise in specific subjects like reading, writing and math. Overall, they demonstrate understanding in learning disorders, psycho-educational evaluations, and intervention strategies for specific learning differences. Educational Therapists utilize multi-sensory learning, evidence based training, and knowledge of teaching strategies that allow the students to learn self advocacy techniques for independence. Much of the training acquired by an Educational Therapist  plays a role in their understanding of: educational apps, educational websites, evidence/researched based curriculum, instruction approach for reading, writing, and math remediation.

A tutor  is a person who gives individual or in some cases small group instruction. Their focus is generally in a specific subject matter, and academic based. Many times, they lack training to support students with specific learning differences, learning disabilities, and understanding of evidenced based interventions to support unique learners. Finally, tutors will instruct and many times re-teach classroom concepts,  provide homework help, and work toward transferring their expertise in a subject area to the student.