Lifespan offers professional tutoring services to children and adolescents. We have the capacity to be much more comprehensive than most traditional tutors since we are a multidisciplinary clinic. Our services are for children and adolescents who have a need for specific academic tutoring, supplemental instruction, or help with other educational concerns. Tutors are professionals who help individuals maximize their success in school and other learning endeavors. The tutors at Lifespan address the needs of each individual. Based on these needs, they can provide traditional tutoring in such areas as reading, math, written language, or in a particular content area. The tutors can also help students set and meet goals. Finally, tutors can provide enrichment services when student's needs surpass what is available in the classroom.

We are offering professional tutoring services in addition to our traditional psychological services because of the need we have seen. It is no secret that far too many students in today's educational system experience learning issues that can cause stress, low self-esteem, boredom, attention difficulties, or even depression. Some of these students may have true learning difficulties; some may have attention difficulties; others may not like the subject matter; and others may be bored since they are fast learners. Since Lifespan originated in 1999, we have seen a large number of children and adolescents who have not felt good about school and thus, have not felt good inside. We have also seen many parents who have children with complex challenges and do not know where to turn for help.

By offering both psychological and educational intervention, we can best address the entire learning process that tutoring or therapy cannot address alone. By adding tutoring services, we hope to provide more comprehensive care, which we hope will achieve better outcomes for our clients. We take a strength-based approach, in which both the strengths and challenges of the child or adolescent are addressed.

Examples of children and adolescents who would benefit from our professional tutoring services are those with the following challenges:

• Learning disabilities in reading, written, language, or math
• Lack of motivation to do well in school
• Need for more supplemental instruction due to being a fast learner
• Organization and planning difficulties
• Confusion regarding career options
• Test anxiety
• Need for assistance with college applications and/or SAT preparation

Parents interested in tutoring services for their child or adolescent should contact the center and schedule an intake appointment. Tutors will meet with the family and develop an individual plan of action. If additional assessment or other related services is needed (e.g., counseling, speech/language assessment, psychological testing), this will be discussed during the intake session.

All tutors are carefully selected and have passed a criminal background check. Each tutor works under the supervision of Dr. Steve Curtis. Dr. Curtis is a licensed child clinical psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist. He is the former director of special education at Seattle University, continues to teach as an adjunct professor, and has extensive background in working with children with learning and behavioral challenges.