Picture this: a kid stares at a page, frozen, while their parent sighs, “They’ve always struggled.” Sound like a tutoring session you’ve had? Well, buckle up, because in a recent Tutoring with Cheryl podcast, Tina McMillan of Atypical Tutors dropped a truth bomb that’ll flip your tutoring game upside down. With 20 years of wrangling autism, ADHD, and dyslexia , Tina’s not just a tutor—she’s a brain-rewiring, confidence-building, family-fixing ninja. And tutors, she’s got wisdom you can steal to transform those “stuck” kids into unstoppable learners. Spoiler: It starts with believing brains can change—and ends with parents owning their role.
Tutors, You’re the Key to Unlocking Atypical Minds
Tina’s journey from hotel management to tutoring kids with complex needs is a masterclass in curiosity and grit. Alongside host Cheryl, she unpacked how observation, empathy, and a dash of fun can crack even the toughest cases. For tutors, this episode is a goldmine of strategies to boost skills, confidence, and family dynamics—because, let’s face it, you’re not just teaching math or reading; you’re sculpting futures.
Three Key Points:
- Brains are wired to adapt—neuroplasticity is your secret weapon.
- Confidence turns “I can’t” into “I did”—and tutors can build it.
- Parents must step up; they’re the copilots in this learning adventure.
Rewire, Don’t Retire, Those Struggles
Tina’s big on busting the “fixed brain” myth. “It doesn’t matter the label—autism, ADHD, dyslexia—these kids aren’t broken,” she said. She’s living proof: one student, stacked with diagnoses since age three, is now 14 and thriving. How? Tina taps into neuroplasticity, that magical ability of brains to rewire with the right challenges. Tutors, ditch the one-size-fits-all drills. Mix in multi-sensory tricks—think touching fake coins or tracing cursive signatures. Those synapses will spark, and that “hopeless” reader? They’ll be decoding menus in no time.
“Each child’s brain is a puzzle,” Tina shared. “I love finding the missing piece—once you do, the whole picture changes.”
Confidence: The Tutor’s Superpower
Here’s where Tina gets me grinning: she’s all about building trust. “If they don’t believe they can, they won’t,” she insists. Take her 14-year-old champ—years of one-on-one sessions turned tantrums into triumphs. Tutors, you’re not just skill-drillers; you’re confidence architects. Pair a tough task with a high-five, and watch dopamine flood their brain. That kid who balks at fractions? They’ll swagger into class when you show them they’ve got this. Neuroscience says it, Tina proves it: belief fuels progress.
“Give them a win, and they’ll chase the next one,” Tina noted. “It’s like lighting a fire under their potential.”
Parents, You’re On the Clock Too
Now, let’s get real—parents, I’m looking at you. Tina doesn’t mess around: she goes straight to the family’s doorstep, weaving siblings and routines into her tutoring magic. Why? Because kids don’t learn in a vacuum. “You get the whole picture—not just the school part,” she explained. Tutors, you can nudge parents to reinforce your work—set a schedule, give kids a voice, stick to it. If they shrug off their role, that “stuck” kid stays stuck. I’ve seen it: parental buy-in turns a wobbly start into a confident stride. No excuses, folks—your child’s first teacher is you.
The villain here? That outdated “my kid’s just broken” narrative. Tina’s antidote—shared by yours truly, Laura Lurns—is simple: challenge the brain, cheer the effort, and hold parents accountable. Tutors, you’re the spark; families fan the flame. Want to level up your impact and your income? Join the Learning Success affiliate program —it’s your ticket to offering brain-boosting tools that complement your sessions and pad your wallet. Together, we’ll banish “stuck” for good.
Author: Laura Lurns
Find me on X https://x.com/lauralurns