Dyscalculia is the designated term used for someone who displays a learning disability or difficulty in the subject area, mathematics. Dyscalculia can range from the inability to understand numbers such as, memorization and organization of numbers, operation signs, and number facts to applying mathematic principles needed to solve problems (Logsdon, 2014). Dyscalculia is very uncommon and not very well known it our world today, meaning the specific cause to why one becomes affected by this disorder is still undetermined. According to Anna Wilson, developmental dyscalculia is caused by the dysfunction or impairment of the parts in the brain that relates to ones mathematical processing ability (n.d.). Identified factors that researchers have found to be possible contributors to the cause of dyscalculia involve: genes and heredity, brain development, environmental factors, and brain injury (Morin, 2014). Difficulties in math are similar to the characteristics one with dyscalculia displays as there are various difficulties one might have within the subject area of math as well as symptoms one might display when they difficulties arise. Characteristics of someone with dyscalculia may include: (Wilson, 2014).
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Dyscalculia can be diagnosed as early as preschool and tends to become more apparent as individuals get older. Dyscalculia looks very different at different ages. There are many additional reasons for students to have difficulty with math, such as a lack of motivation, attention and anxiety disorders, etc. (Wilson, 2007). As a teacher, it is important to be aware of the characteristics one would portray when exhibiting dyscalculia. It is even more important to know and understand the learning needs of each individual student in the classroom to properly assist them towards achieving success, not only in mathematics, but in additional subject areas as well.
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AccoMModatioNs:- Take more time to complete a task or a test
(Timing Accommodation) - Use graph paper for assignments and test to keep things organized and in line. (Organization Skill Accommodation) - Work or take a test in a different setting, such as a quiet room with few distractions (Setting Accommodation) - Work with fewer items per page or line and/or materials in a larger print size (Presentation Accommodation) - Use a calculator or table of “math facts” (Response Accommodation) ModificatioNs:- Answer fewer or different test questions
(Assignment Modification) - Get graded or assessed using a different standard than the one for classmates (Curriculum Modification) - Complete fewer assigned homework problems (Assignment Modification) |
SceNarIOs:
Scenario 1:
It’s the end of a unit in math, meaning students are about to perform a summative assessment to showcase their knowledge and learning of the content material. The moment the student receives the test; he becomes frustrated and immediately shuts down due to the way the material was visually supplied.
Scenario 2:
A student is continually having a hard time completing her mathematics test in the general education classroom setting because of the distractions that arise when all her classmates finish before her and being working on other material or moving about the room.
It’s the end of a unit in math, meaning students are about to perform a summative assessment to showcase their knowledge and learning of the content material. The moment the student receives the test; he becomes frustrated and immediately shuts down due to the way the material was visually supplied.
- An accommodation that I would provide this student with would be content material that consisted of limited number of evenly spaced problems per page. To accommodate this students need, I would also enlarge the size of the text used to make the material more evident and legible for the student.
Scenario 2:
A student is continually having a hard time completing her mathematics test in the general education classroom setting because of the distractions that arise when all her classmates finish before her and being working on other material or moving about the room.
- The accommodation that I would make for this student would be to provide her with a quiet area to take her test in that is free form distractions. In addition, I would also accommodate this students needs by offering extended time to complete the current test as well as future tests.
PareNt Resources:The Mathematical Brain: (http://www.mathematicalbrain.com/) – This website includes information and updates on the latest research, technology, and resources for individuals with Dyscalculia. Dyscalculia Forum: (https://www.facebook.com/dyscalculia) – This is a global discussion forum that spreads the word and brings awareness to the mathematical learning disability, dyscalculia. Dyscalculia Centre: (http://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/index.html) – This site has links to resources for parents and teachers to help children with dyscalculia become more successful in mathematics at both school and home. Dyscalculia BLOG: (http://blog.dyscalculia.org/) – This blog forum provides parents and individuals with dyscalculia with support services and individuals personal experiences. The site includes information such as diagnosis, remediation, therapy, advocacy, causes, treatment, and research regarding the learning disability. Right Brain Math Book: (by Tom Biesanz) – This book provides parents with a resource to help their child learn math. The book is designed to provide children with the experience and opportunity to practice number patterns that occur in everyday mathematics. |
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