Orthopedagogue

What is an orthopedagogue?

An orthopedagogue is a special education professional who is dedicated to assessing, supporting, and assisting a clientele presenting with learning disorders, attention disorders, behavioral disorders, or other special educational needs.

The main objective of orthopedagogy is to promote academic success and the overall development of children and adolescents with special needs.

The orthopedagogue is often part of a multidisciplinary team and works with various health professionals, such aspsychologists, specialized educators, speech-language pathologists and school personnel. Together, they carry out a comprehensive assessment and create an individualized intervention plan that will facilitate the child's learning so that they can reach their full academic potential. The orthopedagogue can help identify the causes of these difficulties and provide learning and intervention strategies adapted to improve school performance.

At Familio, our orthopedagogues work collaboratively, among others, with parents to develop effective teaching strategies that take students’ specific needs into account.

Why consult an orthopedagogue?

You can seek the expertise of an orthopedagogue if you notice that your child is experiencing learning and organizational difficulties. A few signs may indicate that your child would need help and support. For example, if they are often late in submitting schoolwork, if they have difficulty managing time during in-class tests, or when handing in projects.

It is not uncommon for the teacher to notice certain behaviors or signs that might suggest your child needs additional help or tutoring to optimize their learning and to inform you.

Orthopedagogy can also offer support during transitions in the school journey, such as the move from kindergarten to primary school or from primary to secondary school. A consultation can facilitate adaptation to a new school environment and academic demands.

You can request support if your child has received one or more diagnoses such as: dysorthographia, nonverbal learning disorder, attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), dyslexia and dyscalculia. An orthopedagogue can provide specific strategies to meet the child's needs and help them overcome challenges associated with their disorder.

If a child or adolescent has special educational needs, such asautism spectrum disorders (ASD), communication disorders, or intellectual disabilities, an orthopedagogue can play a key role in developing individualized intervention plans and in implementing teaching strategies adapted to these specific needs.

When should you use the services of an orthopedagogue?

At-risk students who may present difficulties or disorders in school and social adjustment may need orthopedagogical services. For example, if the student experiences persistent academic difficulties despite interventions put in place in class and at home.

As parents, you can consult an orthopedagogue to obtain advice and teaching or home support strategies adapted to your child's needs.

Finally, orthopedagogical intervention and the acquisition of appropriate strategies can dramatically help the student in their development and enable them to achieve better academic results, while strengthening their self-esteem and optimizing their school inclusion.

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