FAQ
How Do I Keep Your Child Engaged While Online Tutoring With Me?
1.
What subjects do you teach/What help do you offer?
I teach all elementary level subjects from preK to 6th grade: reading, reading comprehension, phonics, language arts, writing/composition, math, science and social studies/history. I also teach writing (papers/theses) editing, ESL, understanding inferences for middle schoolers up through adulthood. I have taught adults to learn to read and adults with autism how to understand inferences including the "deeper meaning" of what someone is saying. Both Online Tutoring and In-Home (when COVID case #s are low in the area). Click Here to find out how I keep your child engaged while online with me!
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2.
What is ABA (behavioral therapy) and What is a BCBA?
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to use the methods of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to determine the function(s) of observed behaviors in an individual. Behavior analysis or ABA is a unique method of treatment based on the idea that most human behavior is learned over time and that this behavior is currently maintained by consequences in the environment. A Behavior Analyst such as myself is an “objective scientist”—observing behavior and not making judgments or assumptions about it. I try to understand behavior as an adaptive response (a way of coping). Behavior Analysis or ABA also uses empirically validated methods—those based on scientific studies and research. The research in this field is individual based, and not based on norms, setting it apart from the field of Psychology. What this means is that each person who is evaluated for behavioral help is assessed and compared only with his/her own documented progress, using the first or “baseline” data measurements taken at initial assessments to compare against the data taken continually during treatment. This method of behavior analysis using data specific to the individual leads to fully informed, individualized decisions on treatment. Treatment plans address each person’s specific identified needs and are developed to best facilitate individual growth. The goal is to help each person I work with to be able to live the best, most meaningful life, with socially and functionally significant outcomes.
3.
What Insurances Do You Accept for Behavioral Help?
Anthem, Blue Shield of CA, MediCAL (Gold Coast),
Magellan, Aetna
4.
Is there a set program you follow for tutoring?
Nope! I'm different from other tutors because I spend a lot of time before each session individualizing the lesson to address the needs and learning style of that my students. Many tutors/centers have "one size fits all" ways of teaching which cuts down on the time tutors spend outside of session creating lessons--but this has been proven not to work very well with our very diverse, different-minded kids. I also take extra time to find out what each student likes and include that into the lessons to make sure there is motivation to learn! Ex: I wrote a book specifically for a 13yr old who could not read even basic words, containing her personal sight words and also a story I wrote using pics of my own dogs, because she loved pets and we had shared ours with each other online! I am constantly reassessing during every session and change might programs of learning from one session to the next to adjust to the progress of each student. No cookie cutter, "one size fits all" learning tracks or programs when I tutor a student--every child is an individual who deserves to have an education individualized for him or her!
5.
How will my child be able to focus with you for an online session?
I individualize the session to your child's particular needs/interests, so I will be able to keep your child engaged, and also excite him or her about learning! I have boundless energy that comes across both in-person and online--I'm fun, bouncy, and my enthusiasm about learning is contagious! I will do what I would if I were there in-person with your child--stop and take breaks as much as every 15-20 minutes depending on the child's needs--and we'll both stand up, jump up and down, stretch, and more! I've been very effective at helping both tutoring clients and behavioral clients online--WHY am I better at online special needs tutoring than the online schools? Click Here to find out more!
6.
Besides online tutoring, do you tutor in-person?
YES! However, due to the constantly fluctuating health situation in our area, and availability/distance, please ask/check with me for availability to do in-home and note what you prefer when filling out the contact form
(In-home tutoring available only when COVID case #s are very low within our county)
7.
What is your availability?
I am on the west coast/Pacific Time available 9am - 9pm Monday - Friday with hours of availability on Saturdays (contact me for specific availability). I currently tutor students living all across the US!
8.
What are your rates?
For special needs tutoring, is $60/hr - Why? Because every single lesson is individualized to your child's particular way of learning--this takes more time outside of session to prep than other tutors do! I also find things your child is interested in to include in lessons--no lessons for one student are ever the same as for another, which takes extra time and dedication! (NOTE: Tutoring using Barton Orton-Gillingham method for Dyslexia or Foundation in Sounds pre-program is $75/hr)
please contact me here to find out more!
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Why consider me to help you? How many other people have:
(1) 25 years experience tutoring special needs individuals from preK-adult, PLUS
(2) many years experience working as a behavior therapist with special needs individuals ages 2 - 72, now with BCBA certification, AND
(3) the invaluable personal experience of raising MY OWN special needs kid (with autism/ADD/ODD)
It's 3 different types of unique experiences in ONE tutor/behavior analyst--ME! It's this "3-in-1" that places me above other tutors/behavior analysts because I not only know how to behaviorally handle and engage your child in learning and growing, I also understand what you're going through as the parent as well!
This makes me a "well rounded" tutor/behavior analyst, and why I can call myself confidently the
"Special Needs Tutor Paula, Behavior Analyst."
9.
How do I get started?
For TUTORING, we will discuss your child's needs, the best way your child learns, and I will give you tips on how to help him/her that you can use right away!
For BEHAVIORAL HELP, I will ask about what you've been going through behaviorally with your child, what you've tried/what has worked/what has not worked, and start to formulate a plan with you for moving forward.
Let's start a conversation about how your child CAN learn and move ahead, and create a plan for individualized growth that will lead to success! Click HERE or on the button below, or you can TEXT ME or EMAIL ME at the contact info listed below. I look forward to hearing from you!