Dyslexia and math / maths

Dyslexia and math / maths

Many dyslexic children and teens aften experience problems with math/s because of their difficulties with sequencing. Many have not yet learned the basics - how to count to 100 forwards and backwards, and do not understand any processes beyond addition. Jean Herold describes some techniques which will help.

Many dyslexic children and teens have problems in some ares of math/s, especially the multiplication tables, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and statistics.

A dyslexic student usually needs extra instruction particularly as new concepts are introduced.

With this subject, it is particularly important to grasp each concept thoroughly before moving on. If not instructed properly in math/s, it will become yet another thing to weigh down their self-esteem.

Sequencing and short-term memory

Problems in math/s can arise from a dyslexic child's difficulties with sequencing. Getting numbers in the correct order, and being able to reverse that order is a challenge for the student.

A problem with short-term memory can make it particularly hard for the student to learn the multiplication tables.

To help a student with math/s the first thing that needs to be established is how much they know or understand about the subject. It cannot be assumed because of age or grade how much a student knows.

Small steps

Teach math/s concepts sequentially and in small steps. Do not move on to another concept until the student is ready and thoroughly understands the preceding concept.

For example, do not move on to counting backwards until basic counting has been mastered. The following exercises can be beneficial in reinforcing the relationship of numbers to actual quantities. They utilize the same multi-sensory approach used to teach dyslexic children to read. Introduce these methods as games, keeping them a fun activity. If the student becomes tired, seems distracted or bored at any point move on to another activity, or take a break for a while.

Counting to 100

Have a child with dyslexia arrange 100 counters in a long line on the floor. Have her place a marker after each ten. The child can then practice counting all the way through to 100. Teach tens by using a different colored counter in place of the tens number so that they easily stand out.

After that, they can learn to count by fives. The counting of numbers by ten and five will help the child immensely when it comes to multiplication and time telling skills.

Have the child count forwards until they can do so fluently, then they can start to count backwards. Practicing counting can be done in any situation, counting cars as they pass by, or stairs as they climb up them.

Another exercise that can be done anywhere - in the classroom by the teacher, or at home with a parent - is to call out a number and have the child call out the following one. At first the hardest numbers for the child to remember are usually where there is a change of tens, as in 29 to 30.

Multiplication and division

Multiplication and division are the most difficult for a child with dyslexia to master. It will make it easier for the child to learn if they actually understand the concept. The following may help: collect 5 pairs of items, gloves, shoes, toy animals, anything as long as the pairs are the same. Lay out the pairs in front of the child, show her that there are two items in each pair, one pair has two items, two pairs has four items, etc. When the child sees the five pairs have ten items, explain as you write it down, that is what 5 x 10 means.

This exercise can be repeated with each of the different pairs until she understands what the "2 times" means. Once the child is familiar with the 2 times table, they should begin to work on all the tables in the following order: 2x, 10x, 11x, 5x, 3x, 4x, 9x, 6x, 7x, 8x, then finally 12x, which they should know from the other tables.

When first using worksheets, use pictures of familiar animals or items for students to count. If a student has difficulty with one particular fact show them how to use the facts they do remember to help them.

An example of this is if a student knows 6 x 5 well, show them how to use that to figure out 7 x 5 by counting up by five.

Relate mathematical story problems to things they like and their friends or family, this way they have the added dimension of visualization to work with.

Games work particularly well

Games work particularly well with dyslexic children as they seem to have an aversion to plain work sheets. Children enjoy playing Bingo. This multiplication Bingo game is a big hit with most kids. Make a Bingo type card on a piece of paper, fill the squares with the answers to all the multiplication facts, up to 6 x 6 with regular dice, 9 x 9 and 12 x 12 (or with the polyhedral dice available at school supply stores). Take it in turns to roll the dice; multiply the two numbers rolled and mark it off on the players' Bingo sheets.

Without making it too obvious, let the child win any games to build up their self-confidence.

Teach the child to talk through math/s problems, saying it softly to themselves, without disturbing others. This will employ auditory as well as visual memory abilities. Explain to them how this will help because the brain can store different kinds of memories. Often a child will read a whole problem, remember some numbers and do any kind of math calculation that comes to mind! Show the student how to jot down the key facts and symbols in a problem as they come up.

Use a calculator

Show a child with dyslexia how to use a calculator. Students should not use the instrument to do all of their math/s work, but to check their calculations and make corrections where necessary.

Make individual worksheets for students. Structure worksheets to meet the students knowledge and ability; simplify word problems so they will not be an obstacle for dyslexics; customized sheets will allow for success, not failure.

Real coins

When teaching about money use real coins instead of plastic, this is far more fun and exciting for the children. It is not always necessary to spend a fortune on items for tactile use; change from your pocket, pieces of cereal, simple circles cut out of colored paper are great for whole number and fraction work.

Utilize the many resources available to construct a suitable curriculum for students.

Websites like www.dyslexia-teacher.com has many great suggestions for instruction ideas.

Many computer games such as Treasure Math Storm by Learning Company are fun and provide an excellent means of math practice. Commencing with basic multi-sensory instruction, sequential small steps, verbalization and visualization techniques, and review and practice, there is no reason for any child not to become a competent mathematician. !

Jean Herold
February 2003
Jean Herold was a student on the Dyslexia Certificate course.

Working Out Averages with Smarties

I recently worked alongside a student who was finding averages difficult to grasp. The topic had been covered for several weeks in class but my student was finding it frustrating and was fed up with the textbook questions she was expected to answer quickly. With permission from the math tutor I worked one to one with her on a practical task which involved covering averages by using a simple tube of chocolate Smarties! She put them in rows of colors and we discussed what the mode, median, mean and range were. She then produced two graphs on the computer (bar chart and pie chart). She was now more self confident having grasped the concept of averages using this alternative method of learning and could move onto the next topic with the rest of the group. (L.C.)

Related links

Dyslexia Teacher - Teaching Methods

Time Table Rhyme - tables testing activity - automatically marked.

www.multiplication.com - range of games and activities.