Hi Penny,

It’s a long time since I’ve undertaken any training on Dyscalculia so my understanding and awareness is a little dated.  However, I am aware that Loughborough has undertaken a great deal of work in this area and I would particularly be interested in any recent updates.  I understand they have worked extensively on creating a screening tool but I was hoping there has been further developments on how to support these students once identified.

My understanding is that dyscalculia is a very specific issue which seems to relate to having an abnormal concept of number.  This is a very specific fundamental issue which does not necessarily relate to numeric operations but will have a detrimental impact.  Ultimately this is where I would like to provide support but I am acutely aware of the specialisms involved in this.

Many thanks,

Mark

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Penny Georgiou
Sent: 09 August 2016 10:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Specialist study skills for Dyscalculia

Dear Mark,

Part of the issue with maths is to do with recognition of synonyms. Pupils/students do not realise that different terminologies which we use routinely mean the same thing, or nuanced versions thereof. Eg, a teacher can say of subtraction: take away or minus. Part of the dis – is the not making the horizontal connection between these terms.

There are other elements too, of course, but that takes a wider study to break down the elements. This particular one goes a long way.

There is also another very obvious factor but not necessarily applied with consistency in this field. It is important to give access to the concepts on the basis of the kind of learner someone is. In other words the way in which they relate to things. Eg, some really need touch - haptic, some need movement - kinaesthetic, others visual, others aural, others otherwise…I would be happy to speak about this further with his specialist tutor, if no maths specialist is available. A brief conversation can find a starting point and then the process itself begins to instruct both tutor and learner.

Kind regards,

  PG

Penny Georgiou

Access 1^st

Needs Assessment, Advice and Specialist Support

For Disabled Students in Higher Education

Tel: 0207 799 4803

Mob: 07708791880

www.Access-1st.co.uk

Correspondence Address: 91 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3PS

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Phillips
Sent: 09 August 2016 10:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Specialist study skills for Dyscalculia

I have recently had a request from a student for maths support through the DSA due to a diagnosis of dyscalculia.  The student’s university offers Maths support classes so I do not want to duplicate support already available.  However, I would like to recommend some specific support for dyscalculia.  Is there any way of identifying study skills tutors with the ability to provide support specifically for dyscalculia.

Many thanks,

Mark

Mark Phillips Needs Assessor, Student Support and Wellbeing Division 50 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT t. +44 (0) 2920 876987 www.cardiff.ac.uk/studentsupport Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group of Universities Cardiff University is a registered charity No. 1136855 Please consider the environment before printing this email

Mark Phillips Aseswr O Anglerion Adran Cymorth a Lles Myfyrwyr 50 Plas y Parc, Caerdydd, CF10 3AT t. +44 (0) 2920 876987 w. www.cardiff.ac.uk/studentsupport Mae Prifysgol Caerdydd yn aelod o Grŵp Prifysgolion Russell Mae Prifysgol Caerdydd yn elusen cofrestredig rhif: 1136855 Ystyriwch yr amgylchedd cyn argraffu yr e-bost yma os gwelwch yn dda.