Outside Help for Kids Struggling at School: What Are Your Options?
When Your Best Efforts Aren’t Enough
You’ve tried everything: sitting side-by-side during homework time, staying in close contact with teachers, even offering rewards for schoolwork. But despite your dedication, your child—bright, funny, curious—still comes home defeated. Maybe they freeze during math. Maybe reading out loud sets off tears. And you’re left wondering: what more can I do?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents of children aged 6 to 12 eventually arrive at that turning point: when school struggles have stretched beyond what can be handled within the walls of the home or even the classroom. That’s when outside help becomes not a last resort but a hopeful bridge between challenge and confidence. So let’s look at what that can really mean.
The Difference an Extra Pair of Eyes (and Hands) Can Make
Sometimes, the issue isn’t just about academics—it’s about how your child processes information, how they manage frustration, or whether their needs are being seen at school at all. And while schools should ideally support diverse learners, they don’t always have the resources or training to follow through. That’s where external support can play a crucial role—adding expertise, emotional support, and often, creative solutions tailored to your child’s style of learning.
Types of Outside Support You Might Consider
Every child is different, and the kind of help that works wonders for one family might not be the right fit for another. That said, here are some meaningful paths to explore, grounded in real experiences from parents and educators alike:
1. Educational Therapists and Learning Specialists
These professionals go beyond tutoring. They assess how your child learns and think strategically about executive functioning skills, attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Educational therapy is especially valuable for children with diagnosed or suspected learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, or processing disorders.
Jessie, mom to a 9-year-old, shared how an educational therapist didn’t just help with reading but also taught her son how to break down large assignments into manageable tasks—something school never addressed directly.
2. Tutors Who Understand Learning Differences
A good tutor offers more than subject matter knowledge. The best ones build trust, adapt to a child's pace, and understand the emotional side of learning difficulties. A reading tutor trained in structured literacy methods, for example, can make a huge difference for a child with dyslexia. It’s worth asking tutors about their experience with specific challenges, not just their subject expertise.
3. Occupational or Speech Therapists
Does your child tire quickly during writing tasks? Do they struggle with expressive language? Sometimes what looks like a motivation issue is actually linked to sensory processing or speech delays. Don’t hesitate to ask your pediatrician for a referral—even mild struggles can be eased with targeted support. These therapies are often covered by insurance when medically necessary.
4. Mentoring and Emotional Coaching
Some children need someone in their corner to help navigate school anxiety, peer pressure, or feeling different. Mentors or child coaches can support social skills, emotional self-awareness, and even build resilience through regular, guided sessions.
A creative way to do this is through tools that make learning feel like play. For example, turning a dry lesson into a personalized audio adventure where your child hears themselves as the story’s hero—complete with their name and voice actors—can help reconnect them with joy in learning. (A feature quietly included in the Skuli app has made this type of experience remarkably accessible to many families.)
When School and Parent Aren’t Enough
When a child’s needs aren’t being met, even with outside help, it’s important to re-evaluate the school’s role. Are accommodations being offered—and followed through? If it feels like you’re pushing a boulder uphill with no support, you’re not imagining it. As one parent confided to us: “I kept trying harder, assuming the system would meet us halfway. But it never did.”
Start by reading this guide on what to do when a school refuses accommodations. If you need more context on how inclusive schooling really works in practice, this reflection may help you clarify what to expect and when to advocate further.
Support Can Also Be About Community
Some parents find that seeking support outside the classroom isn’t just about tutoring or therapy. Sometimes it means forming a study group with other families—or even finding another parent in a similar situation to vent with on tough days. One mom said she set up Sundays as a "learning brunch" with her son’s friend, alternating homes. The shared effort reduced nagging and added a touch of fun.
Others creatively weave learning into daily routines: recording spelling lists as audio files for the car ride, helping their child create flashcards of math facts, or using a photo of a lesson page to generate practice questions during downtime. With consistency and love, these small gestures can add up to big leaps in confidence.
If you're just beginning this journey, or if you're deep in it already but feeling worn out, remember: seeking outside help isn’t admitting failure. It’s a deeply loving choice to bring in more support because you know your child deserves every chance to thrive. And you're not alone in taking that next step.
Where to Learn More
If your child is feeling isolated at school because of their struggles, these strategies to support children who feel left out might offer fresh perspective. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options and professionals involved, check out this guide to who can help outside the classroom, which breaks down the roles of each kind of expert in more detail.