Which students need academic support?

It is in the early years of life that a child has the greatest capacity for learning. Giving them every chance to develop their potential is therefore essential. Yet at school, many students struggle to concentrate, to participate, or suffer from hyperactivity. While some are diagnosed as autistic or DYS, others are not systematically identified. These various disorders, known as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, dyscalculia and ADHD can indeed go unnoticed by teachers and parents. Fundamental skills such as arithmetic, reading or writing may therefore be poorly acquired. These children, whether diagnosed or not, need extra help.

Beyond learning, self-confidence is also at stake for these children with great hidden abilities.

The same is true for children of expatriate families living in France. As soon as they arrive in the country, non-French-speaking children are assessed by specialised teachers to establish their skills in various school subjects (French, arithmetic, writing, mother tongue…) and are then enrolled in a mainstream class according to their age. A child who does not yet speak French well will need particular attention and extra help. This will allow them to keep their confidence, take part in class and continue their schooling in France under the best conditions.

Things become more complicated for parents living abroad. Finding a skilled teacher who has a perfect command of your language in a foreign country becomes an obstacle course. When a DYS disorder is added to this situation, expatriate families are often at a loss to provide tailored academic support for their child.

Understanding the different learning disorders:

Which type of academic support should you choose?

Private tutoring at home:

While many teachers offering private tutoring are available, not all are trained in the specific needs of autistic, DYS or ADHD children. Whatever the nature of the needs, teaching skill is essential for young students’ learning. A skill taught by a pedagogically skilled teacher will be understood and beneficial in the long term, whereas with an untrained tutor or a less skilled teacher, the student will remain partly closed off to the lesson. Teaching is not a profession one can improvise.

Mastering knowledge does not mean knowing how to pass it on.

When the child has DYS disorders or ADHD, the task becomes even more complicated. A good teacher giving private lessons at home is not necessarily aware of or trained in autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD. This is an even bigger obstacle for expatriate parents.

Correspondence courses

A practical solution that helps give struggling students a boost, correspondence courses work through delayed exchanges. The child receives lessons and homework to complete and send back to a teacher by post or email. While this option remains relevant, particularly for expatriate students, it does have some drawbacks. Some children need to ask questions, go deeper, or get explanations to complete their homework. For DYS children, the presence of a family member will be necessary while doing the exercises. Finally, the lessons and exercises are not specifically adapted to DYS disorders.

Group classes

Held in classrooms of around 10 students, group classes are generally reserved for children experiencing occasional school difficulties in a specific subject. Shared among several students, the teacher delivers a lesson that is not built around the particular needs of autistic, DYS or ADHD disorders. The child risks finding themselves in the same situation as at school and progressing more slowly, or even losing confidence. Group support classes are also harder for expatriate parents to find.

Online academic support classes

Accessible anywhere in the world, online classes offer a real chance for students with learning difficulties. Because they are offered by qualified teachers trained in the various DYS disorders. Because they bring together teachers specialised in languages. Because they offer innovative methods tailored to students facing academic failure. For all these reasons, online academic support provides the keys to success for all children, whether or not they have a diagnosed condition.

The ORA platform stands by parents in France and abroad as they work to best support their children’s schooling.

The rates for online academic support classes are lower than most existing private tutoring options. Why? The logistical constraints related to travel simply don’t exist! In addition, appointments can take place at any time of day, regardless of the country, with great flexibility. It should also be noted that by using digital tools, learning becomes interactive. A real asset for autistic, DYS and ADHD children.

With its online platform, ORA simplifies parents’ lives by making support classes accessible anywhere in the world.