Bainbridge Island & Kitsap County
Dyscalculia & math Learning disability specialist
Dyscalculia & Math Learning Disability Specialist for Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County
Navigating the world of dyscalculia can feel similar to hiking an unknown trail, without a map or guide.
If your child has a new dyscalculia or math learning disability diagnosis, you may feel overwhelmed, unsure how to sort through the noise of information, and anxious about the future holds for your child.
As a dyscalculia specialist and fellow parent of a child with dyscalculia, I can help you get started in the right direction, equip you with the knowledge and proper gear, and help you navigate the learning disability journey.
I provide compassionate, knowledgable, and experienced guidance for families, educators, and individuals.
To learn more about me and my journey becoming a specialist in this field, check out my about-page.
Laura M. Jackson - local parent of a dyscalculic daughter, dyscalculia specialist, math learning disability consultant, and author of the book, Discovering Dyscalculia (2022).
What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is better known as a Specific Learning Disability with an Impairment in Math. It is a learning disability or condition that impacts 1 in every 20 individuals, at least 5% of the population. That’s the short answer. Learn more here about the signs and symptoms and how it impacts more than math.
work with me
On this website you find great information on dyscalculia resources for awareness, education and support. Be sure to check out my book, blog, podcast, free resources, products, and consulting services. As a local Bainbridge Island parent, I also offer the following online or in-person services for navigating learning disabilities.
School Supports for learning disabilities
Establishing appropriate school supports for learning disabilities is a critical step in helping your student succeed in school. Many parents mistakenly assume that the school will know how to provide dyscalculia support, and are soon disappointed and frustrated when their student continues to struggle despite receiving “help” at school. Unfortunately, our school’s staff, including Special Education teachers, have not received adequate and specific training on dyscalculia.
What I offer
I work with parents who are either just beginning the journey and looking for evaluation options, or those who are beginning to set up school supports, such as Individual Education Programs or Accommodations (IEPs or 504s). With two teens in the Bainbridge School District, formerly in Seattle Schools, I am familiar with the process of supporting a twice-exceptional student with a learning disability in both of these school districts. I can help you decide which options are best for your child, and explore creative and tangible ways to help them succeed in school. I work with parents to draft letters to the school, attend IEP or 504 meetings with parents, and work with high school students to help them choose what supports they need in school.
Details
Initial Consultation Appointments are one-hour on Zoom or in-person in Bainbridge Island, and include a personalized followup email with resource links discussed during our meeting ($200). Follow-up consult calls are $150 for one-hour sessions.
math education at homE
Parents choose to homeschool their children for many reasons. Often times students are struggling in a subject and are not receiving the help they need in school. This was our family’s personal experience and the reason I homeschooled my daughter’s math class through her middle school years.
What I offer
Through individual or group consulting, I help parents work through the foundational math learning that dyscalculic and dyslexic students need to grasp mathematical concepts. I provide an overall understanding of the teaching strategies and tools necessary, provide support through specific lesson plans and games, and ongoing guidance as needed. Consult meetings and guidance is tailored to each families specific needs.
Details
Initial Consultation Appointments are one-hour on Zoom or in-person in Bainbridge Island, and include a personalized followup email with resource links discussed during our meeting ($200). Follow-up consult calls are $150 for one-hour sessions.
Math tutor and teacher training
Students with a math learning disability or who are struggling in math due to dyslexia, need a math instructor who is trained specifically in the effective teaching methods for dyscalculia and dyslexia. Math tutors who are not specifically trained for dyscalculia/dyslexia are rarely effective, and often unintentionally cause more harm than good for these students. If you already have a tutor or teacher your child connects with, one option is to provide the tutor or teacher with dyscalculia specific training on math education so they can help your student develop a better mathematical understanding.
What I offer
Through one-to-one or teacher trainings, I lead tutors and teachers on how to teach math for students with dyscalculia and dyslexia. I guide educators through: essential teaching strategies for working with dyscalculic and dyslexic students, what books and curriculum to follow, what multi-sensory math learning tools to use, where to begin instruction and math intervention, how to structure the learning sessions, and accommodations and supports needed in math class.
Details
Initial Consultation Appointments are one-hour on Zoom or in-person in Bainbridge Island, and include a personalized followup email with resource links discussed during our meeting ($200). Follow-up consult appointments are $150 per hour.
What parents are saying
“I just wanted to sincerely thank you for lending us your amazing expertise about learning challenges. I’m not sure how to express my gratitude for your time and compassionate advice. Truly life-changing for us. ”
“Your guidance and direction was super helpful and I don’t feel like I am moving about blindly on this anymore! ”
“It was so helpful to talk with someone who truly “gets it.””
“I can’t begin to tell you how helpful it is to talk with someone after all of this time who understands what you’ve been going through so much they can finish your sentences. Hugely relieving.”
“My daughter was diagnosed with dyscalculia. It was during my desperate Google searches for answers that led me to Laura’s blog. Her story is so inspiring and has helped me become a more informed parent. Laura brings a wealth of information, and is an incredible resource to anyone in this journey. Laura is genuine, informative and truly passionate to help others and bring awareness. ”
“This workshop was so helpful to me, both for the information shared AND for the connection to other parents going through the same thing. Laura has done an excellent job corralling resources and I am so grateful we found her!”
“Both my husband and I found this class incredibly helpful, we felt that it gave us valuable insight in how to help and understand our child better. We have used what we learned to advocate our child’s case to our school and really able to help our child in the best way and let go of things that we suspected were not working but it was nice having that validation confirming with actual facts that are not helpful. I am eternally grateful to have found Laura. The classes were very well organized, perfect for working parents to fit into their schedule, and well-structured with many resources.”
“Laura has really done her homework. What a wonderful resource to share with parents struggling to understand their child’s diagnosis.”
“We wanted you to know how much we enjoyed the course and how helpful it has been... Thanks again for everything you did to support our family and others. It was so nice to find some hope and support in this journey even though we are early on this path!”
“I just want to let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done and are doing to support families that are impacted by dyscalculia. We are still very early in our journey but the resources you have put together here have truly been invaluable. I have learned so much and feel much better equipped to figure out how to move forward. Hearing your daughter’s story has given me hope that my daughter can thrive with the appropriate interventions. ”
“For once I feel like I am lining things up that will actually help her instead of muddling our way through the status quo…I am so grateful to have found you and signed up for these sessions.”
“The resources you have put together here have truly been invaluable. I have learned so much and feel much better equipped to figure out how to move forward.”
“What a wonderful teacher and support you have been - thank you. I feel hope for my child, thanks to you.”
“I am finally doing something to help my kid with their learning difference, starting with the foundation to have a true understanding is really great.”
“I truly appreciate your lessons. It’s really helped my confidence.”
Contact me to learn more about working together!