Recognizing the early signs of dyscalculia can help you support your child effectively
Sarah noticed her daughter Alyssa’s struggles with math as early as third grade. Despite excelling in all other subjects, Alyssa’s math scores prevented her from entering gifted and talented classes. It’s crucial for parents to be vigilant about their child’s academic performance, especially when there’s a stark contrast between different subjects. Early recognition of these signs can lead to timely interventions and support.
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As a parent of a child with dyscalculia, you may feel overwhelmed by the challenges your child faces in understanding and working with numbers. The story of Sarah and her daughter Alyssa, shared on the “Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities” podcast, offers hope and guidance. While schools may not always provide the necessary support, you can make a significant difference in your child’s life using available tools and resources.
Schools may not always recognize or address dyscalculia, but you can advocate for your child
Alyssa’s school failed to offer any support or recognize her struggles with math. When she sought help from a classroom aide, she was rebuffed, and her requests for tutoring were dismissed. This lack of support from educational institutions is a common challenge for children with dyscalculia. As a parent, you must be proactive in advocating for your child’s needs, even if it means seeking external resources and making unannounced visits to the school.
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If you need it and it’s going to help you, you got to ask for it.
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Utilizing alternative methods at home can enhance your child’s learning experience
Sarah tried various methods at home to help Alyssa, such as using cooking and baking to teach fractions and encouraging her to slow down during math problems. While these efforts helped, they were part of a slower process. Parents can explore creative ways to incorporate learning into everyday activities, providing a supportive environment that complements formal education.
Key Takeaways:
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Advocacy and Accommodations: Parents should actively advocate for their children to ensure they receive necessary accommodations, such as extra time on tests, which can significantly improve their academic performance and confidence. Alyssa's success in moving from 22nd to 15th in her class after receiving accommodations highlights the importance of advocating for and utilizing these supports.
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Understanding Dyscalculia: It's crucial for parents to recognize that dyscalculia is a specific learning difference related to numbers and not a general intellectual disability. Alyssa's struggles were solely with numbers, and understanding this helped tailor her learning and support strategies effectively, reinforcing that it's about learning differently, not being less capable.
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Encouraging Self-Advocacy: Teaching children with dyscalculia to self-advocate is essential for their long-term success. Alyssa's ability to manage her accommodations at university and communicate her needs to professors demonstrates the importance of fostering self-advocacy skills from a young age, empowering them to navigate educational and professional environments independently.
Understanding and using specific tools like Dyscalculia and Number Sense can make a difference
After years of struggling, Alyssa was finally diagnosed with dyscalculia in her junior year of high school. This diagnosis was pivotal, as it allowed her to receive accommodations like extra time on tests, which significantly improved her performance. Understanding and utilizing tools like Dyscalculia and Number Sense can provide parents with the knowledge and resources needed to support their child’s learning journey.
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It’s okay to ask for help… When you don’t, that becomes a problem.
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The specific challenge of dyscalculia, a condition that affects a child’s ability to understand and work with numbers, can be daunting. However, as a parent, your role is crucial in overcoming this challenge. By advocating for your child, seeking out the right resources like Number Sense https://learningsuccess.ai/number-sense/ and fostering a supportive home environment, you can help them achieve their dreams. Alyssa’s journey to UT Austin, where she now studies medical laboratory research, is a testament to the power of parental involvement and self-advocacy.
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