The Challenges of Elementary Education for People with Dyscalculia
Introduction
In a recent episode of the What in the World is Dyscalculia? Podcast host Dr. Honora Wall of EduCalc Learning and the Dyscalculia Training and Research Institute sat down with Katie Walker, founder here at Dyscalculia Tutoring. Their conversation focused on their unique journeys in dyscalculia education and the importance of supporting neurodiverse students in math. Check out their video and then read the critical takeaways from their discussion, offering practical insights for educators and parents.
The Journey to Dyscalculia Awareness
Both Dr. Wall and Katie Walker followed unconventional paths to becoming advocates for students with dyscalculia. Displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Wall transitioned from nonprofit work to math education through an alternative certification program, finding her passion in supporting students who struggled with math.
Initially pursuing a career in science, Katie found her calling after teaching high-achieving and remedial students in various educational settings. Despite advanced math education degrees, Katie found herself unaware of dyscalculia until working with students who exhibited neurodiverse learning styles. This realization highlighted the gap in educator training on neurodiversity in math.
Their stories underscore the importance of ongoing professional development and curiosity, as educators often encounter neurodiverse students who need more resources and understanding.
Challenges of Teaching Neurodiverse Students
Both experts discussed the significant challenges neurodiverse students face, particularly those with dyscalculia, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Neurodiverse students refer to those with a range of neurological differences, including but not limited to dyscalculia, ADHD, and dyslexia. Katie and Dr. Wall reflected on how they often encountered students struggling with math due to poor working memory or processing speed. However, they lacked the formal training to recognize these as symptoms of dyscalculia.
They emphasized how critical it is for educators to learn various teaching methods tailored to neurodiverse learners. Katie, recognizing that not every student understands math concepts in the same way, stressed the importance of having multiple strategies to teach the same topic.
The Importance of Early Intervention and Tailored Support
Dr. Wall and Katie highlighted the need for early screening and diagnosis of learning differences, particularly in math. They stressed that identifying dyscalculia and other neurodivergent traits as early as possible can dramatically change a student’s educational experience, underscoring the proactive role educators and parents can play in this process.
A common challenge for educators is finding age-appropriate resources for older students with dyscalculia. Materials designed for young learners often don’t suit middle or high school students, making it essential to find tools that respect students’ maturity while addressing their learning needs.
Their advice to educators is to use diverse tools—such as manipulatives (physical objects that students can manipulate to understand math concepts) and multi-sensory learning techniques (methods that engage multiple senses to enhance learning)—to support neurodiverse students in building the foundational math skills they need.
Building Relationships is Key
Katie and Dr. Wall agreed that the most important factor in helping neurodiverse students succeed is building solid and supportive relationships. They emphasized that students with dyscalculia often face significant anxiety and self-doubt around math, and a positive teacher-student relationship can foster confidence and openness to learning. This highlights the need for empathy and understanding in the educational process.
Katie emphasized that working with these students goes beyond teaching math. It involves addressing the emotional aspects of learning, helping students overcome their math-related fears, and showing them they can succeed with the proper support.
Improving a student’s math confidence has a ripple effect beyond the classroom, often leading to better outcomes in other areas of life. Both educators believe this relational aspect of tutoring and teaching is critical for long-term success.
Advice for Newcomers in Dyscalculia Education
Katie and Dr. Wall offered valuable advice for those just starting their journey in dyscalculia education. Katie encouraged educators to expand their repertoire of teaching strategies, suggesting that having multiple ways to explain a single concept is essential for working with neurodiverse learners.
She also emphasized the importance of focusing on mindset and relationship-building, as math success is often tied to students’ emotional well-being. Dr. Wall added that educators should seek training from experts who base their work on solid research, ensuring their teaching methods are grounded in the latest understanding of dyscalculia and neurodiverse learning.
Conclusion
Understanding and supporting neurodiverse students, especially those with dyscalculia, is crucial to their success in math. Both educators highlighted the importance of individualized teaching approaches and building solid relationships to help students thrive.
Learn more about Dyscalculia Tutoring’s exciting new partnership with EduCalc Learning, which provides specialized math instruction for neurodivergent learners. Whether you're seeking remedial support, a complete curriculum for homeschooling, or help for your school, this partnership offers discounted access to comprehensive courses and 1:1 tutoring. Find out how this tailored support can help your child build confidence and succeed in math at dyscalculiatutoring.com/educalc-learning-partnership.
