Dyslexia is a common learning disability found in the classroom although dyslexia is characterized as a language based learning disability with decoding words fluent word recognition reading comprehension skills and writing it can also affect a child's math skills (Handler, 2016). dyslexic children can be less accurate and slower to compete single digit mathematical problems such as multiplication (Boet et at., 2010). Also children with dyslexia can generally have issues with the written word problems and verbal aspects of number arithmetic for example a student in my class had issues with math and reading she constantly had trouble with remembering high frequency words and addition she would have a single digit addition problem like 9 + 5 she could verbally express the answer 14 but wrote 41 we are constantly
working on multiplication in the classroom because she tends to forget how to work the problem or has trouble comprehending any word problems involving addition subtraction or multiplication. From working with her and many students like her I've noticed children with dyslexia can have issues with memory I say this because every year I start off with reviewing multiplication regrouping in addition, and
borrowing in subtraction. Either she forgets to carry her one oh doesn't forget to carry the one and writes her answer backwards.
Another common learning disability found in the classroom that affects A child's math skills is dyscalculia. Dyscalculia is another cognitive issue that focuses more on the use of numbers and is considered a brain disorder and is commonly found in girls. A deficits in working memory in children with dyscalculia contribute to weaknesses in the representation of quantity information, as well as the ability to manipulate this information during numerical problem solving (
Menon, 2016). For example, a child who has trouble memorizing or remembering how to figure out multiplication facts will have trouble working on division. As a teacher Im constantly telling my students if you can’t add, subtract or multiply you will have trouble with division
because division uses multiplication, addition, and subtraction. If, a child doesn’t know 2x2=4 they will have trouble with 4/2=2.
It is important that children with these types of disabilities or disorders receive interventions. Interventions for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia can have trouble in a lot of areas in learning especially math. During class I use manipulatives like counters and personal dry erase boards. I also ask them to visualize the answer three times before they write it. It also helps for them to say the answer out loud. The more help they receive the better they will do in class.
