Personalized 1-on-1 instruction is tailored to how your student learns best, not how the curriculum is typically delivered. A tutor can slow down, skip ahead, or teach the same concept five different ways until it clicks. They can use manipulatives, visual aids, technology, or movement-based learning—whatever works for that student. They also have time to build confidence and address the emotional side of learning differences, like frustration or anxiety around certain subjects. Most importantly, tutors can work within the student's specific learning profile (whether it's related to processing speed, working memory, reading, writing, or executive function) rather than treating all students the same way.

No—tutoring support can begin whether or not your student has a formal diagnosis. Many students benefit from personalized instruction while they're in the evaluation process, or if their school hasn't yet identified a learning difference. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors experienced in learning differences who can work with your student's strengths and challenges right away. If your student does have a diagnosis or current IEP/504 plan, that information helps tutors understand the specific accommodations and strategies that work best. Either way, the goal is to provide support that helps your student make measurable progress.

This is one of the most important questions—many students with learning differences are hardworking and motivated, but still struggle because of how their brain processes information. Expert tutors in learning differences use a mix of observation, conversation, and practical skill checks to pinpoint the real issue. For example, a student might struggle with reading not because they don't try, but because they have difficulty decoding words, tracking across a page, or holding information in working memory. Once the actual barrier is identified, tutors can address it directly with evidence-based strategies like structured literacy, multisensory instruction, or executive function coaching. This transforms 'trying harder' into 'trying differently.'

A tutor experienced in learning differences can absolutely work across multiple subjects because they focus on the underlying skills and strategies, not just the content. For example, if a student struggles with working memory, that same challenge might show up in math (remembering multi-step problems), reading comprehension, and written expression. A skilled tutor addresses the root issue and teaches strategies the student can apply everywhere. That said, some families prefer subject-specific tutors (one for math, one for reading) if their student has very different levels of challenge across areas. Varsity Tutors can help match you with the right tutoring setup based on your student's specific needs.

Real progress shows up in multiple ways: improved grades or test scores, fewer tears over homework, faster reading speed or better comprehension, neater handwriting, or better ability to organize thoughts. The best tutors track specific, measurable goals—like moving from 65% to 80% on math tests, completing homework 20 minutes faster, or improving reading fluency from 80 words per minute to 110. You should also notice confidence building: your student becomes more willing to try challenging tasks or less anxious about school. Tutors should communicate regularly with you about what they're seeing and adjust strategies if progress stalls. Progress doesn't always look like a straight line, but over weeks and months, you should see real movement.

Accommodations (like extended time on tests or using text-to-speech) help a student access learning despite a learning difference—they're important and necessary. Remediation or skill-building focuses on improving the underlying abilities (like decoding, working memory strategies, or organization skills). The most effective approach uses both: accommodations remove barriers so your student can succeed now, while targeted instruction builds skills that might reduce the need for accommodations over time. For example, a student with dyslexia might use audiobooks as an accommodation while also learning structured literacy techniques to improve their decoding. Tutors experienced in learning differences understand how to balance both strategies based on your student's goals and situation.