Please download the slides.

All references and links are in the footnotes/notes sections.

An introduction to Dyscalculia

Amjad Ali- @ASTSupportAAliJames Shryane - @James_Shryane

25/03/15

15 minute forum #1

• This a lunch time drop in training session as part of our 15 minute forum package.

• Aim- An introduction to dyscalculia• Audience – Teachers and teaching assistants in

secondary school• Learning Outcome – By the end of the session,

teachers and TAs will be able to describe dyscalculia and have an appreciation that it is a condition relevant to all staff in the context of teaching mathematics across the curriculum.

What is Dyscalculia?

• A Specific Learning Difficulty within Cognition & Learning, recognised in the 2014 SEND Code of Practice

• Often comorbid with dyslexia and ADHD but they are separate conditions

• Affects 6-8% of people, girls and boys equally

Key difficulties...

• Poor understanding/confusion of mathematical symbols• Difficulties with position and direction• Difficulty with sequencing, remembering specific facts

and formulae, decoding, memory• Maths phobia• Mathematical capacity significantly lower than in other

areas such as verbal/written ability• Difficulty with abstract concepts such as time, always

late• Difficulty reading numbers• Poor maths long term memory

Assessment methods

Not just Maths

• Numeracy, not just mathematics

• Schools are expected to teach maths in a planned and cohesive way across the curriculum

• Anxiety and poor self image

Tips and Strategies

• Find the gaps and address them

• Regular returns, frequent revision

• Use of concrete manipulatives (equipment)

• Exam access arrangements

• Reduce anxiety

Further Reading

Dyscalculia

Spatial/ Temporal

Memory

Counting

Calculations

Numbers

Measures

123