How to Teach Math for Students with Dyscalculia
In the summer of 2025, between driving my teens to summer jobs and rebuilding our deck, I was writing every minute I could!
So much has happened in our dyscalculia journey since writing the book in 2021. I wanted to write more about our experience with my daughter’s math education, as she moved through her middle and high school years.
In my consulting work with students, parents, and teachers, I’ve noticed similar questions surface each time.
“What curriculum is available for dyscalculia?”
“What are the best teaching strategies to use?”
“Is there an assessment to help me know where to begin?”
“How should we set up the timing for a student’s math class or tutoring?”
“What learning tools and manipulatives should we buy?”
“What school accommodations are best for dyscalculia specifically?”
These are such great questions. And they are the exact ones I wondered about myself over the years with my own daughter.
My book covered many of the early questions surrounding how to identify dyscalculia, the evaluation process, and finding initial supports. But I wrote that in 2021, and since then I have continued to discover and explore so much more about math education for dyscalculia.
So I sat down to write down much of what we have learned since I wrote the book, focusing mostly on the how-to and details of teaching math to a dyscalculic middle school for three years at home.
I compiled my thoughts into something I’m naming a “Guide to Math Education for Dyscalculia.” Through a series of articles and audio recordings, I wrote about some of the specifics of what is needed to help students with dyscalculia make progress in their mathematical understanding.
Maybe I’ll eventually compile these thoughts into a second book, but for now they are available inside of my newly setup Substack account as a resource for parents and teachers.
In this GUIDE You will hear more of our family’s personal journey over the past several years, including stories and experiences since writing the book, and more details about my daughter’s math education up to her current senior year in high school.
You’ll learn how to find the most effective teaching strategies for dyscalculia, and where I personally recommend looking for reliable information.
I discuss six effective teaching strategies for dyscalculia, with specific examples and stories so you can understand how to implement these strategies with your own student.
You’ll hear my thoughts on where to begin the math instruction. This is a question everyone is curious about.
You’ll learn about my favorite books and materials for use in curriculum and lesson planning. Plus, my favorite multi-sensory tools.
I write about how to plan the time with your student, the frequency, length of class times, and how long you should expect to work together.
You’ll get the full scoop on school accommodations. How to choose the right ones for your student, how to ensure they are implemented, and six of the best accommodations specific for dyscalculia. You’ll also hear why my list differs from what most schools suggest for accommodations.
My hope is that you will come away with more clarity on what your dyscalculic student needs, and with more confidence knowing how to implement effective math education specific to dyscalculia.
I hope you feel like we are in conversation, on a walk or having coffee together. I know it’s hard to find others who really get it and have the same questions as you.
And if you want to process anything in this guide, then join me live for one of my monthly Ask-Me-Anything sessions in Substack, or book a 1:1 consult call with me.
I look forward to connecting with you soon.