Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors experienced in working with students who have documented learning needs. Before starting, we recommend sharing your child's IEP or 504 plan goals with the tutor so they can reinforce the same objectives and strategies your child's school team is using. This coordinated approach ensures tutoring supports—rather than duplicates—what's happening in the classroom and helps track progress toward IEP goals.

In a classroom with an average student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1 in Baton Rouge, students with learning differences may struggle to get individualized attention. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to adjust pace, use multi-sensory teaching methods, break concepts into smaller steps, and provide immediate feedback—all critical for students with learning disabilities or processing differences. This targeted approach often leads to faster skill development and greater confidence than classroom learning alone.

Students with learning disabilities often struggle with reading fluency and comprehension, math fact fluency and problem-solving, writing organization and mechanics, or attention and executive functioning skills. Many also benefit from explicit instruction in phonics, decoding strategies, or number sense. Personalized tutoring addresses these specific gaps by using evidence-based techniques like multisensory learning, repeated practice with immediate feedback, and strategy instruction tailored to how your child learns best.

During the first session, the tutor will get to know your child, understand their learning style, and discuss specific academic goals and any accommodations they use. If you have your child's IEP or 504 plan available, sharing it helps the tutor understand documented needs and current goals. The tutor will likely do some informal assessment to identify strengths and areas needing support, then create a personalized plan moving forward.

Ideal tutors have experience working with students who have specific learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, or other documented needs. Many hold special education certifications, have worked in special education classrooms, or specialize in evidence-based interventions like Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia or structured literacy approaches. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, you can discuss their experience with your child's specific diagnosis or learning profile to ensure a good match.

Good tutoring produces measurable results. Ask the tutor to establish baseline skills in target areas (like reading fluency, math facts, or writing skills) and track progress regularly—weekly or bi-weekly check-ins are common. Many tutors use progress monitoring tools, keep work samples, or share brief updates on what was practiced and areas of improvement. You can also coordinate with your child's school to see if tutoring gains are reflected in classroom performance and IEP progress monitoring data.

Frequency depends on your child's needs, IEP goals, and the specific skills being targeted. Students with significant learning gaps often benefit from 2-3 sessions per week, while others may do well with weekly sessions. Shorter, consistent sessions (30-60 minutes) are often more effective for students with attention challenges than longer, less frequent sessions. The tutor can recommend a schedule based on your child's learning profile and goals, and you can adjust as progress is made.