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Home > About Us > The Basics of NILD Educational Therapy®
Basics of NILD Educational Therapy®
- What is NILD Educational Therapy®?
- How is it different from tutoring?
- Who is a Candidate for this Program?
- Why does it work?
- How is it funded?
- How can we Know the Program Works?
What is NILD Educational Therapy®?
NILD Educational Therapy® was developed to treat assumed, underlying causes of learning difficulties rather than simply treating the symptoms. It is a true therapy in that it aims the intervention just above the student’s level of functioning and raises expectations for performance. Students are trained to view themselves as competent, confident learners. The goal of NILD Educational Therapy® is to help students develop tools of independent learning in the classroom and in life.
Students in NILD Educational Therapy® receive two 80-minute sessions of intensive educational therapy per week. This can be either in individual or small group settings. These sessions include a variety of techniques designed to address students’ specific areas of difficulty and to improve their overall ability to think, reason and process information. Techniques emphasize basic skill areas such as reading, writing, spelling and math, applying reasoning skills within each area.
Students are taught by educational therapists, who are trained specifically in NILD methodology and receive on-going graduate level training leading to NILD certification. Regular collaboration between the educational therapist, parents and classroom teachers is encouraged in order to assess progress and appropriately adjust educational programs for each student.
How is it different from tutoring?
The focus of NILD Educational Therapy® is the development of clear, efficient thinking. Students are given tools to enable them to overcome specific learning weaknesses. Tutoring typically focuses on content while educational therapy builds efficient learning processes.
NILD Educational Therapy® teaches students how to think rather than what to think.
NILD Educational Therapy® is skill-oriented, improving basic learning skills so students can learn and retain content. Students become better able to:
- stay focused on the teacher’s voice
- accurately hear and remember what the teacher is saying
- read visual information on the board, transparencies, or computer screen
- understand the main points of what the teacher is saying and decide the significant information to record
- remember how to spell the words being recorded
- record information legibly
Educational therapists become better able to individualize intervention by:
- focusing specifically on students’ areas of difficulty and dealing with problems as they arise during the actual learning process
- maintaining the intensity of focus needed to help the student work through difficulties
- developing the trust needed to free the student to accept and work on difficult areas
Parents become better able to:
- provide structure and accountability
- supervise homework
- maintain regular contact with the educational therapist to increase understanding of the therapy process and collaborate in providing an effective program for their child
Who is a Candidate for this Program?
Potential students for this program are those experiencing obvious frustration in areas of school performance. Poor spelling, illegible handwriting, inability to express thoughts verbally or in writing, and difficulty with reading and math are common indicators of a learning disability.
Learning disabilities are diagnosed through a battery of tests that measure and compare students’ potential with their actual performance. NILD educational therapists work in conjunction with qualified examiners and can assist parents in completing appropriate psychological and educational assessments.
Students complete their programs when they become independent and successful in the regular classroom. This decision is based upon recommendations from the educational therapist, parents and classroom teachers and usually takes a minimum of three years.
Strategies learned in educational therapy should enable students to remain independent and successful throughout their school years. They generally develop skills to pursue a career in the field of their choice.
Learning disabilities can be addressed whenever they are identified, not just in childhood. The NILD techniques are effective regardless of age and can be adapted to all levels of functioning.
Why does it work?
Research is indicating that thinking can be changed through intensive, focused intervention. Students are trained to think for themselves rather than depending upon a teacher or parent to think for them. Language and thinking skills are interdependent so that when one skill develops the other is also strengthened. Educational therapists are trained to develop language and thinking through effective questioning. Students are taught to defend their answers and to reflect upon their thinking processes. They transition from dependent learners to those who think and reason independently. Following NILD Educational Therapy® treatment few, if any, adjustments or modifications need to be made in the students’ academic programs.
[Statistical data documenting program effectiveness is available from NILD]
How is it funded?
Schools with the NILD program generally charge a separate fee for educational therapy in addition to regular classroom tuition. Every effort is made to keep costs within reach of families.
How can we Know the Program Works?
Several research studies are available on the program. A dissertation has been completed with statistical data documenting program effectiveness. However, success stories of students having completed the program speak for themselves. Many are achieving honor roll status and are pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees.