How Does TouchMath Help Students with Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects one’s ability to learn mathematics, as compared to same age peers who receive identical instruction. It may cause difficulty with counting, working memory for numbers, ability to recognize patterns, time, sense of direction, estimation of distance and volume, math facts, and procedures. Dyscalculia is a lifelong condition that can impact academic and economic progress as well as self-esteem.
Research supports that with early identification and the right interventions and supports these students can master math as well as other students.
Dyscalculia can be classified as a disability under both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which may qualify them to receive accommodations in school via an IEP.
5 Ways TouchMath Helps Students with Dyscalculia
TouchMath is an evidence based, multi-sensory approach to mathematics that can help students when other learning solutions fail. If a student is diagnosed with dyscalculia, they can still succeed in mathematics as well as their peers.
The TouchMath program is grounded in the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) framework, a sequence of instructional practices and research-based best practices that reflect how most students learn. As students see, say, hear, and touch they easily make the connection between the numeral and the quantity it represents.
- TouchMath is a comprehensive mathematics program that covers a wide range of concepts and skills. It not only emphasizes basic arithmetic operations and fact retrieval but also addresses the challenges of solving word problems. One of the key features of our program is the incorporation of the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) approach, which allows students to develop a deep understanding of numbers and quantities. By using the abstract numeral as a multi-sensory manipulative, students can engage in hands-on learning experiences that enhance their mathematical abilities and foster a strong foundation in mathematics.
- The comprehensive program offering from TouchMath incorporates a wide range of visual reminders, including rules, formulas, and strategies, along with supplemental posters and visual prompts within the problems themselves. By leveraging these visual aids, students with dyscalculia are provided with an enhanced learning experience that enables them to better grasp and internalize math rules and formulas, leading to improved understanding and performance in mathematics.
- The TouchMath curriculum provides students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. It offers a multitude of opportunities to practice and reinforce areas where they may be struggling, ensuring that skills and concepts are deeply embedded in their long-term memory. By utilizing innovative teaching techniques and personalized approaches, TouchMath empowers students to excel academically and build a strong foundation for future success.
- Each TouchMath unit is thoughtfully designed to support students with age-appropriate content that fosters their learning. The concepts are reinforced through various techniques such as skip counting, backwards counting, utilization of TouchPoints, and even incorporating music. These strategies work together to create an engaging and effective learning experience for students.
- All TouchMath materials are intentionally designed to be clean and simple, ensuring that distracting stimuli are minimized. This thoughtful approach allows learners to focus their attention and engage more effectively with the content. Additionally, with TouchMath Pro, you have the flexibility to customize the number of problems per page, tailoring the learning experience to meet individual needs and preferences.
About TouchMath
TouchMath is an evidence-based, multisensory approach to mathematics that can help students when other Math learning solutions fail. If a student suffers from dyscalculia, they can still succeed in mathematics, and we have the resources to support you so you can better support them.
- Our Dyscalculia 101 page is your one-stop-shop for all things dyscalculia.
- Checkout our dyscalculia workshop sessions.
- Access our free dyscalculia screening tool.
- Download the full dyscalculia white paper by Dr. Sandra Elliott and Sam Wertheim, Doctoral Candidate.
We’re changing the way students experience math. Ready to talk interventions?