Question:
We have identified specific phonological processing problems and visual
difficulties that underlie LD in language. What do we know about
underlying causes of dyscalculia, or about math difficulties in general,
and what are some of the interventions that work with specific
difficulties? I often hear that difficulties with word problems must be
due to reading deficits, but as an ABE instructor, I have encountered
many excellent readers who struggle terribly with math concepts, with or
without basic computation skills. It's NOT just a matter of reading.
What is it?

Christy,

I am certainly not an expert on math difficulties. However, I have
witnessed the huge number of students who struggle with math...and I am
one of them!  (In fact, I could be the poster child for the description
of a strong reader who struggles with math.)

There are so many places that math could "break down" for a student.
That is why our system works well.  We approach each student
individually and investigate their areas of strength and areas of
challenge.  I think with math the key is to ASSUME NOTHING.  We look at
their quantitative skills, problem solving skills, reading level, and
ability to persevere.  A really important piece is how they feel about
math.  Many of our students have had really bad experiences connected
with math and have high anxiety around the subject which creates a huge
barrier for them.  In fact, we have just created a new class called
"Managing Math Anxiety" for our struggling math students.  (I co-teach
it with a really amazing math teacher.) Only students who have math
issues can attend.  The students report that one of the most valuable
features of the class is telling their "math story."  They respond to
the prompt: "Describe the circumstances in your life you first realized
that you did not feel capable doing math."  Their responses were very
revealing.  What is amazing about our class is that the students are
flocking to it.  They actually come just for math class and then leave
again...that is a first!

Math difficulties can have so many underlying causes.  The key is to
tease out their source for the individual student.  Of course there is
math anxiety, usually related to lack of success.  If they are anxious
about math they avoid it. There can be "educational disabilities or
information gaps" where the students simply did not get math instruction
for some reason (illness, frequent moves, lack of attendance, etc.).
There can be reading problems.  There can be memory problems; there can
be sequencing problems and visual-spatial problems.  There can problems
doing the numbers or lack of ability to grasp of the concepts.  And of
course, there can be all the other complicating factors of adult basic
education students with mental health playing a huge role these days.

For students who struggle with math, it is important for them to
experience success right away.  That means starting with what they CAN
do and building on that.  A concrete hands-on approach is really
important for some students.  Learning the language of math helps other
students with story problems.  We specifically teach the key words.  A
great way to teach critical thinking skills is to take the numbers
(which can be frightening beasts) out of the problems and ask the
students how they would solve them without the numbers.  Many of our
students are very social and are auditory learners as well, so working
with peers in small groups or pairs help them relax and enjoy math.
They love the interaction and the lack of pressure to come up with
solutions all on their own.  Creating their own story problems from
their life experiences helps them understand how story problems work and
help them to understand how math is used in their daily lives.  Teaching
organizational skills is also a piece of teaching math.   Of course, a
simple solution if the student's problem is with the numbers themselves
is allow the student to use a calculator.

A wonderful resource for teaching math to struggling students is Dr.
Richard Cooper. He authored Teaching Math to Students Who Learn
Differently. His website is www.learningdifferences.com   


Judy A. Campbell
Learning Disabilities Specialist
IEL/ABE/CCS



Judy A. Campbell
Learning Disabilities Specialist
IEL/ABE/CCS

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