Learning from looking closer
Learning from looking closer Math, memory, and misinterpretation part 5 Across this series, we examined four seemingly straightforward fourth-grade math questions: Checking an addition problem using inverse operations Finding the total amount of money Measuring length with a ruler Identifying a line of symmetry Each question was designed to assess an important mathematical concept—and each […]
Visual reasoning and hidden barriers in math
Visual Reasoning and Hidden Barriers in Math Math, memory, and misinterpretation part 4 At first glance, this question seems visual and intuitive: identify which figure shows a line of symmetry. But for a student with dyscalculia, this task is not just about recognizing symmetry—it requires mental folding, spatial comparison, and visual filtering, all at once. […]
Rulers, rounding, and hidden cognitive load
Rulers, Rounding, and Hidden Cognitive Load Math, memory, and misinterpretation part 3 At first glance, this problem seems simple: use a ruler, measure a picture, and give the length. But for a student with dyscalculia, this task is not just about measurement—it’s about visual alignment, spatial reasoning, scale interpretation, and rounding, all at once. In […]
Counting money and cognitive load
Counting money and cognitive load Math, memory, and misinterpretation part 2 For many students, this question appears straightforward: add up the money shown. But for a student with dyscalculia, this task isn’t simple. In this series, we’re examining how standardized math questions can unintentionally measure access barriers rather than mathematical understanding—and what we can do […]
How math feels with dyscalculia
How math feels with dyscalculia Math, memory, and misinterpretation part I For someone with dyscalculia, standardized, timed tests don’t feel like they are testing intelligence, but instead precision under pressure, visual filtering, or short-term memory, rather than the actual understanding of math concepts. This can lead to slower work speed, second-guessing, fatigue, frustration, and mistakes […]
Bridging the math gap FAQ
Bridging the math gap: What’s new in dyscalculia identification, Instruction & state action FAQ What is the difference between dyscalculia and math anxiety? Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that affects number sense, math reasoning, and mathematical concepts. Math anxiety is an emotional response that can occur in anyone when faced with math tasks. While […]
“I Wasn’t Broken—Just Wired Differently”: Carrie’s Journey with Dyscalculia
“I Wasn’t Broken—Just Wired Differently”: Carrie’s Journey with Dyscalculia For most of her life, Carrie thought she was just “bad at math.” A gifted student, she was reading well before kindergarten and sailed through most subjects with ease—until third grade. That’s when multiplication tables entered the picture, and everything started to unravel. “I just didn’t […]
Use Every Tool Available to You Without Shame
Use Every Tool Available to You Without Shame For Elizabeth, math never made much sense. As early as elementary school, she remembers sitting in class completely lost. “I just didn’t know what they were talking about,” she recalls. Instead of asking questions, she would drift into daydreams, tuning out the numbers and instructions that never […]
Take Me As I Am
Take Me As I Am For Theresa, the realization that something was different about the way she processed math began early. As a young child, she couldn’t remember phone numbers—those simple 7-digit sequences that most kids rattled off without effort. By middle school, the difference became official: she was told she would be attending special […]
Discovering Dyscalculia at 62
Discovering Dyscalculia at 62: Randy’s Journey Through Misunderstood Struggles with Math Randy, a seasoned educator now in her late sixties, spent most of her life believing she just wasn’t “good at math.” Despite being in honors classes throughout high school, math always stood out as a source of deep frustration and embarrassment. The discrepancy between […]