Tutor Training
Must-know terminologies
​Some parents may bring up some of these terms: ADD, ADHD, IEP Plan and 504 Plan during their kids' trial or regular classes. Tutors must know and be familiar with these to have a meaningful discussion with parents.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships.
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Sometimes parents and teachers notice signs of ADHD when a child is very young. But it's normal for little kids to be distracted, restless, impatient, or impulsive — these things don't always mean that a child has ADHD.
Attention, activity, and self-control develop little by little, as children grow. Kids learn these skills with help from parents and teachers. But some kids don't get much better at paying attention, settling down, listening, or waiting. When these things continue and begin to cause problems at school, home, and with friends, it may be ADHD.
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder
is a neurological condition that affects three areas of people's behavior in various ways - their attention level, their activity level, and their impulsivity level. You can be diagnosed with ADD only if these behaviors are chronic (you've had them for a long time) and severe (impacting your life negatively in serious ways, more so than other people).
It is extremely important to understand that this disorder is a neurobiological condition. While medication has proven to be very effective in reducing many of the symptoms of ADD; education, support and strategies should be included to enhance opportunities for success.
IEP PLAN
Individualized Education Plan
Students who need extra help and support in school may be eligible for special education services in the form of an individualized education program (IEP). This program is offered free of charge to families of kids in public schools and outlines the goals and any support services that may be needed for a child to succeed in school.
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that parents and guardians of students with disabilities or special health care needs are important members of their child's education team. They should work with educators to develop a plan that helps kids succeed in school.
504 PLAN
Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitaion Act
of 1973 is designed to help parents of students with physical or mental impairments in public schools, or publicly funded private schools, work with educators to design customized educational plans. These 504 plans legally ensure that students will be treated fairly at school.
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The goal of 504 plans is for students to be educated in regular classrooms along with the services, accommodations, or educational aids they might need. If students with these plans can't achieve satisfactory academic success, as is determined by the school, then alternative settings in the school or private or residential programs can be considered.
