Many students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have math learning disabilities, like dyscalculia, due to the multiple processes and brain functions needed to solve math problems. Show Some math difficulties are specifically related to ADHD — inattention, organization, working memory, self-monitoring. Others result directly from learning disabilities — sequential learning, perceptual-motor, and language weaknesses. Teachers can use the following math accommodations to support struggling students. [Self-Test: Could My Child Have Dsycalculia?] 1. Allow extra time on tests so that students are not rushed. Also avoid, if possible, timed tests of basic facts, which students with ADHD or LD have difficulty memorizing. Even if they know facts by memory, they can choke on a timed test. 2. Provide frequent checks for accuracy when students are doing classwork. Set a certain number of problems to complete (one row only, or four or five problems), and check these before the student is permitted to continue. This is helpful for students who become frustrated by having to fix a lot of problems done incorrectly. 3. List the steps/procedures for multi-step problems and algorithms. Post clearly numbered steps, and/or give students a desk-copy model of steps needed to solve problems. 4. Keep sample math problems on the board, and have students write them in a notebook for reference. [9 + 9 = 18 Tips to Sharpen Your Child’s Math Skills] 5. Use individual dry-erase boards. Have students compute one step of a problem at a time, and ask them to hold up their boards upon your signal after each step. 6. Ask for choral responses in instruction — have the entire class chant in unison multiples, evens/odds, or place value. 7. Reduce the number of problems that you assign. Assigning 10 problems written neatly, with work shown — rather than a full page of problems — is enough to assess your students’ understanding. Adapted with permission from sandrarief.com, How to Reach and Teach Children with ADD/ADHD, Second Edition, copyright 2005, and The ADD/ADHD Checklist, Second Edition, copyright 2008, by SANDRA F. RIEF, M.S. Information and ideas from a multidisciplinary team, including the parents and student, are important for developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that meets the unique needs of each student with learning disabilities. A carefully developed multidisciplinary approach will make classroom instruction meaningful for students.
More on ReadingSince reading is central to learning, children who do not learn to read by the second grade are likely to struggle with learning throughout their lives. Reading assessment should include skill levels in decoding, fluency and comprehension. As children learn to read, they learn how spoken and written language relate to each other. Thus, the components of a reading program must also relate to one another, engage all children and meet their individual needs. Reading activities may include:
Teaching MathematicsTheories on mathematics disabilities view spatial visualization and verbal skills as critical. These two skill areas are important for anyone learning mathematics, but are especially important for students with learning disabilities. These areas should be heavily emphasized in the teaching and remediation of mathematical concepts and skills. An individualized education program in mathematics would concentrate on developing concepts and skills within such strands as: numeration, geometry, measurement, collection and interpretation of data, estimation/mental computations, patterns and relations and word problems/applications. Concepts are best introduced with “hands-on” concrete materials. Knowing one-digit facts is important, but work with paper and pencil algorithms should not be emphasized, since calculations can be done with calculators if memory or sequencing is a problem. Estimation strategies are often taught as mental computations skills are developed. Students should be encouraged to draw illustrations and representations whenever possible. They should consistently discuss, read and write as they solve more complex computational and word problems. For students with learning disabilities, confidence in the practical applications of mathematics to everyday life is also very important. What are examples of math accommodations?For math, some common accommodations include providing math tools such as rulers and compasses, allowing students to use graphic organizers to organize their thoughts, and breaking down math problems into smaller steps.
What are some accommodations for students with learning disabilities?Examination Accommodations. extended exam time, typically time and one half to double time.. to take exams in a room with reduced distractions.. the assistance of a reader, scribe, or word processor for exams.. the option of an oral exam.. to use spelling and grammar assistive devices for essay exams.. Which approach to mathematics instruction is most efficient for students with learning disabilities?Explicit instruction often is described as the cornerstone of effective mathematics instruction for students with learning difficulties (Hudson et al., 2006; Jitendra et al., 2018; Witzel et al., 2003).
What is the learning disability for math?Dyscalculia is a term used to describe specific learning disabilities that affect a child's ability to understand, learn, and perform math and number-based operations.
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