Reading tutor vs. reading intervention: What’s best for your child?

If your child is falling behind in reading, you’ve likely heard two options: hire a reading tutor or seek a reading intervention program. At first glance, they may sound similar — both provide extra reading help outside the classroom.

But the truth is, tutoring and intervention aren’t the same. Knowing the difference can help you make the best decision for your child’s needs and ensure your time and investment lead to real progress.

What does a reading tutor do?

A reading tutor often focuses on:

• Homework help and practice with classroom assignments.

• Reviewing sight words, phonics, and grade-level reading passages.

• Providing extra practice for children who need reinforcement, but not necessarily specialized support.

When tutoring can be helpful:

• Your child is slightly behind but doesn’t have a diagnosed learning difference.

• You’re looking for extra accountability and practice outside of school.

• Your child simply benefits from one-on-one attention.

What is reading intervention?

Reading intervention is much more specialized than tutoring. It’s designed for children who struggle significantly with reading, spelling, or comprehension — often despite getting help in school.

At Ravinia Reading Center, intervention is delivered by certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) using evidence-based methods. That means:

• Targeting the root cause of reading difficulties (phonology, morphology, processing).

• Teaching your child how the written language system really works.

• Using customized materials designed to fill gaps that generic programs overlook.

• Tracking measurable progress over time.

When intervention is essential:

• Your child shows signs of dyslexia or another language-based learning difference.

• Progress in school has been slow, despite extra support.

• Your child avoids reading altogether, or their confidence has dropped.

• You’ve already tried tutoring with little improvement.

Key differences between tutoring and intervention

Tutoring	Intervention
Homework support	Targets underlying reading challenges
Often led by general educators/tutors	Led by speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
Works for mild delays or extra practice	Essential for dyslexia or significant difficulties
Focuses on grade-level material	Focuses on foundational skills and strategies
Short-term boost	Long-term progress and confidence

How to decide what’s best for your child

Ask yourself:

• Is my child simply behind in reading, or are there deeper struggles?

• Has tutoring already been tried without success?

• Does my child need an expert who understands reading differences like dyslexia?

If you suspect your child has more than just a gap in practice, reading intervention is the better path. It addresses the root causes of difficulty, not just the symptoms, giving your child the tools they need to thrive.

Why families choose Ravinia Reading Center

We know how overwhelming this decision can feel. That’s why Ravinia Reading Center has your child work with one of our speech-language pathologists. Together, we’ll help you determine if your child needs the support of intervention — and how we can get them back on track.

Take the next step

Don’t wait for frustration to grow. If tutoring hasn’t been enough, intervention could be the turning point. Let's talk.