Psychotherapy and Learning Therapy in the Special School

Abstract

The child who is experiencing severe learning disability will receive his greatest help through services provided in the school. Children learn best from those people who are sensitive to both their ego needs and their academic problems. In a psychologically oriented school program it is important to differentiate the roles of psychotherapist and learning therapist. The latter is represented by the teacher who brings to his role a grasp of psychodynamics, an understanding of child development, and sufficient clinical sophistication to enhance his teaching and relationship effectiveness. The psychotherapist in the school situation supports the learning therapist, aids in crisis intervention, and generally attempts to establish an emotional climate in the school conducent to helping the child function more effectively.