Your daughter has been doing well in school. But suddenly, she’s struggling with math. When you ask about the issues, she says that math makes her feel anxious and overwhelmed. Her teacher says that she seems to understand the material but makes unnecessary mistakes in her homework. Is this an academic issue or an emotional one?

Many schools provide both academic and emotional support to their students. Both can be helpful. However, academic support likely won’t work for emotional issues and vice versa. As such, to effectively advocate for their students, parents must learn the difference between the two. 

This article outlines the differences between academic and emotional supports. It also discusses why it can be difficult to determine the type of support that a student might need. Finally, it explains how a therapeutic school in NYC can help. 

What is Academic Support? 

In the special education context, academic supports are “programs and strategies that are used by schools to increase

the academic achievement of students.” The classic example is tutoring, which is academic instruction provided outside of classroom time. This can be provided in a one-on-one or group setting. Generally, tutoring focuses on the current concept or assignment. However, other academic supports may work to address specific missing skills or learning challenges. For example, tutoring might help a student with long division. Other interventions might help with difficulties understanding place value. Common academic interventions include: 

• Individualized instruction 
• “Chunking” (breaking tasks into smaller steps)
• Adjusting the pace of lessons 
• Providing additional practice 
• Additional time on tests or assignments 
• Reduced homework load

These supports may also include help with study skills, test taking, executive functioning, or other challenges.

What is Emotional Support? 

Emotional supports are rooted in the five concepts of social-emotional learning: 

• Self-awareness – learning to assess and understand one’s emotions
• Self-management – learning to regulate one’s emotions and behaviors
• Social awareness – learning to consider the feelings of others 
• Relationship skills – learning to listen, compromise, and treat others with respect
• Responsible decision-making – learning to consider the effects of their decisions

While all students can benefit from social-emotional learning, in the IEP context, students with anxiety, emotional disorders, behavioral issues, and similar concerns can benefit from targeted emotional supports. When students are dealing with these issues, their IEP will usually require them to meet with a counselor regularly. Emotional support can also include training in: 

• Emotional regulation 
• Stress-management 
• Social skills 
• Communication 
• Conflict resolution 
• Mindfulness exercises

The Differences Between Academic and Emotional Supports 

Academic supports directly address issues that affect a student’s ability to understand what’s being taught. Emotional supports, on the other hand, help students manage their feelings so that emotional or behavioral issues don’t interfere with the learning process.

While this difference matters, the biggest difference might be how they are provided. Academic supports are provided by teachers, special education staff, paraprofessionals, and others. Emotional support comes from counselors, psychologists, social workers, and similar professionals.  

Academic vs. Emotional Supports: How to Know Which One Your Child Needs  

Sometimes it’s easy to tell what your child needs. For example, if your child has dyslexia and there are no emotional issues, academic supports are the best option. Similarly, a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) who has excellent grades likely needs emotional, rather than academic, support. 

However, few students have issues that can be so neatly separated. Emotional issues can cause or worsen academic issues. Similarly, academic struggles can cause or exacerbate emotional concerns. For example, a student is struggling with math. His parents notice him avoiding math homework. His teacher reports that he shuts down and appears nervous during math lessons. This seems like an emotional issue. Math anxiety may be a factor, but the student could also have gaps in his math skills caused by dyscalculia, working memory issues, or other academic causes. These academic issues cause math struggles. The struggles lead to frustration and eventually, math anxiety. 

Additionally, many common conditions have – or can have – both an academic and an emotional component. For example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect both focus and emotional regulation. Other examples include: 

• Anxiety Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Depression
• Executive Function Disorders

Because it can be difficult to determine whether a change in school performance is due to academic or emotional issues, the best course of action for parents is to be proactive. Helpful steps can include: 

• Asking your child how they feel about their schoolwork
• Regularly talking to your child’s teacher about what they’re seeing in the classroom
• Noting if academic or behavioral issues occur in just one class or subject, or across several areas
• Paying attention to your child’s behavior during homework time

These approaches can help, but the only way to know for sure is to ask for a formal evaluation. This process will identify your child’s emotional and academic strengths and weaknesses. Until then, your best bet is to request both emotional and academic help for your child. 

Academic and Emotional Supports: How a Therapeutic School Can Help Your Child  

Both traditional and therapeutic schools do their best to help children. However, therapeutic schools offer several advantages.

First, therapeutic schools use an integrated approach. In most traditional schools, academic and emotional instruction and support are separated. However, traditional schools bring counselors into the classroom or have teachers provide instruction in social-emotional learning. This matters because students can get emotional support every day rather than only when it’s convenient. This integrated approach also encourages teachers and therapeutic staff to work together to support students.  

Second, timing matters. Traditional schools are often unable to address emotional issues until after they’ve become a concern. But because social-emotional learning is “baked into” the therapeutic school process, these schools can be proactive. 

Finally, therapeutic schools strictly limit their class sizes. Smaller class sizes allow teachers and aides to provide individualized academic instruction. Additionally, smaller classes increase the likelihood that teachers will notice warning signs of emotional distress early and help the student adjust accordingly. 

Consider a Therapeutic School in NYC for Your Child  

Every child is unique. While academic issues, emotional struggles, or both make school challenging for students, every student can excel with the right support. 

If you’re looking for a school where your child can receive the level of support that they need and deserve, consider Academics West. Our school uses Clinically Informed Academics® to support each student’s academic and emotional needs. Learn more by watching our virtual tour video. Afterwards, call 212-580-0080 to talk to one of our admissions counselors and schedule your visit to our Upper West Side campus.