Studies suggests that between 4-7% of students have experience difficulty in math compared to 26% of children with ADHD.
This may be the result of the working memory, problem solving skills and inattentive skills all characteristics of a student with ADHD.
What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is defined as a learning disability specifically in math and numbers including the inability to understand the concept of numbers and applying math principles to solve problems. The following are signs and symptoms of dyscalculia:
- Difficulty in counting backwards.
- Difficulty in recalling facts.
- Slow in performing calculations.
- Difficulty with subtractions
- Difficulty using finger counting.
- Difficulty with the multiplication table
- Poor mental math skills
- Difficulty with understanding the concept of time.
- May show signs of anxiety when conducting math activities.
- May have a poor sense of direction (i.e. north, south, east, west)
Early signs of dyscalculia include:
- Delays in learning how to count.
- Delays in recalling facts.
- Difficulty with time
- Displays a poor memory.
- May lose track when counting.
- Difficulty sorting items by groups include color, shape, texture, and size.
Accommodations
Students diagnosed with ADHD qualify for accommodation in the classroom. Here are a few suggestions:
The ADHD magazine, ADDitude suggests the following accommodations to help students with ADHD and Dyscalculia:
- Allow extra time on test
- Provide frequent checks for accuracy during classroom activities.
- List clearly numbered steps/procedures for multi-step problems
- Use individual dry-erase boards.
- Reduce the number of problems you assign.
VeryWell suggests the following accommodations for students expressing difficulties in math:
- Allow the student to use desk copies of math facts such as multiplication table factsheet.
- Allow the use of calculations in the classroom.
- Provide models of sample problems and allow the students to use these models as a reference.
- Decrease the number of math problems.
- Allow the students to use graph paper rather than notebook paper.
- Provide the student with review summaries to help prepare for tests.
Updated 2/20/24
