problem of poor academics, since piling on more academics only fatigues and burdens an already frustrated student. Educational therapy is better equipped to deal with the problem of processing information. This in turn leads to stronger academics. Educational therapy addresses the underlying learning skills that affect academics. These skills would include visual and auditory processing, attention, and focusing as well as memory skills. The student only receives instruction or help in the skills that he/she is weak in. The goals of educational therapy's treatment plan include developing clients' strategic use of strengths to foster learning, develop autonomy and understand the relationship between learning and social/emotional functioning. History In the 1940s, parallel development in the field took place in Europe and the United States, influenced by the work of pioneers like August Aichorn and Katrina DeHirsch, in Germany. DeHirsch wrote of the "treatment alliance" between the educational therapist and the child, while distinguishing the differences between educational therapy and psychotherapy. In the UK in the 1960s, Irene Caspari, Principal Psychologist at the Tavistock Centre, London, became a leading trainer and exponent of a more psychoanalytic version of educational therapy, leaving money for the establishment of a 'Forum for the Advancement of Educational Therapy'. It was Caspari's belief that a child might learn more effectively when an academic learning program went hand in hand with 'expression work' which tapped into a child's deeper feelings, and that it therefore behoved the therapist to be aware of, and to work with, such feelings as well as with his/her own relationship with the child as a learner. Application Educational therapy has been used to treat: Dyslexia Non-verbal learning disorder Reading and writing difficulties (dysgraphia) Math disabilities (dyscalculia) Attention deficit disorder/ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Asperger's syndrome Fragile X Tourette syndrome Language processing problems Visual processing problems Poor motivation Low academic self-esteem Poor organizational and study skills School and test anxiety Poor social skills School placement and retention References Ungerleider, D.(2011). Educational Therapy in Action: Behind and beyond the office door. New York: Routledge. Further reading Educational Therapy vs. Tutoring: What Parents Should Know External links Neuro-Sensory Educational Therapy|Learning Links Neuro-sensory educational therapy Association of Educational Therapists Educational Therapy vs. Tutoring: What Parents Should Know Alternative therapies for developmental and learning disabilities