Dyscalculia Academic Support Beyond Tutoring

Dyscalculia is a specific learning challenge for math and math-related language/fact retention. This LD can make life extremely difficult for someone, especially a student. For example, students with dyscalculia can struggle with concepts like quantities and connecting number sense together. It is not uncommon for students to be unable to comprehend the ‘worth’ of numbers and the commutative properties that they have (for example, 3+5 is the same as 5+3).

Having dyscalculia often goes hand in hand with having a weak working memory. Students will struggle to recall key math facts, or will perhaps forget the order in which to complete the steps necessary to solve a problem. Often students with dyscalculia will understand logically what they need to do to solve a math problem but will not be able to choose the correct operation or apply a formula to solve it.

Dyscalculia is often referred to as ‘mathematics learning disability’ or sometimes even ‘maths/number dyslexia’.


Types of Dyscalculia

Verbal dyscalculia: difficulty naming and understanding math concepts when presented verbally

Practognostic dyscalculia: difficulty translating abstract concepts into real-life concepts

Lexical dyscalculia: difficulty reading and understanding mathematical symbols, numbers and expressions

Graphical dyscalculia: difficulty writing mathematical symbols

Operational dyscalculia: difficulty completing calculations; the numbers are understood but the process and order in which to perform it are not


Common Issues Associated with Dyscalculia

Struggling with sorting and ordering objects (shape, size, colour) coupled with weak object and number association

Difficulty recalling basic facts e.g. unable to memorize times tables

Graphs and pictograms have little meaning and visual representations often will not have any scales

Word problems become challenging; students can often explain what they have to do but ‘forget’ the order of operations

Games that involve number and strategy hold little interest and can become very frustrating

Disinterest and avoidance in math class


How We Support Students With Dyscalculia

Using a multisensory kinaesthetic approach

Creating a highly structured learning environment and ensuring mastery is met at each level before building in additional skills

Chunking units into smaller skills

Focusing on verbal reasoning; “talk through” math problems and concepts

Training students in assistive technology and apps to support math learning


Get Started with Dyscalculia Support Today

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Further Reading and Resources

https://www.understood.org/en
https://www.dyscalculia.org/
http://www.stevechinn.co.uk/dyscalculia.html

 

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