Many questions

Hi Christy,

Not sure where you are, but you can actually get better in math instead of just keeping along at the same level which is no doubt what your tutor is trying to do. However to get better you have to go backwards, there is no way around this one!! Iow, you have to learn how to add, subtract, the whole nine yards over again. I’ll bet you have significant holes your skills at about the fourth grade math level! I also have dyscalculia. But i am a special ed teacher. I found out how to divide in a class teaching me how to teach math to elementary kids. Yes I could go thru the motions, but I didn’t understand it.

You need to have your mom find someone who will *remediate* you in math. That is the word. My feeling is that you are going to have to find someone outside the school to do this. One really neat book is “On Cloud Nine” by Nanci Bell. (http://www.lindamoodbell.com/gander/ocn.htm)
This teaches someone how to visualize math concepts. I think you would need someone to go thru this with you at your tender age. Although, I, at my not at all tender age, have gotten a lot out of this myself. Perhaps a family member could help you with it. You don’t need the whole kit.

Perhaps you could get them to read here.
HTH,

—des

thanks for the repely
i live in colorado, so you know.well, thanks for responding! are you aware of any special education services available or testing available?well, thanks again!!!
and anyone who knows anything about the special education services in colorado or testing available to people with dyscalculia, please respond!

I had another suggestion for your mom. The On Cloud Nine only goes up to about 5th grade or so. She may also check into a program called Math U See. This is a very nice program, inexpensive, AND goes all the way to Trig. I wasn’t too entralled with the videos, and thought I could get just as much by reading the teacher manual.

As for ld testing, if you don’t get any answers on this, go to ISER.com
and see if there is anything there. Don’t know what ld testing would run you these days.

Also take heart on the whole math thing. A certain competence in basic math is required in life, keeping your check book , but you can, as I did, muddle thru math all the way thru school. The big deal is learning how to do that basic stuff! Make sure you get someone to help you with the more basic stuff so you can balance your checkbook, etc etc.

—des

Yes, I think I would give Math U See a shot, too.

an awful lot of elementary teachers didn’t figure out math until they took the college courses in teaching it. You’re not alone — I don’t think it means you have dyscalculia (though you may), just the ol’ dysteachia.

Now, if somebody would write me the grant, I could design materials for all the grownups out there who don’t know the true meaning of subtractionl….

Christy,

Please download my programs at:

www.geocities.com/ldprograms/arithmetic101

They are designed for you to be able to work alone on basic arithmetic skill practice.

ArithmeTeach101 will help you see the relationships in adding and subtracting one and two digit numbers, along with the relationships in multiplying two digits. All three segments have visual aids to help you better “see” what’s happening when you +, - and x.

Arithmetic101 helps you to practise your basic tables, long division and long multiplication. All segments feature on-screen guidance and readily available multiplication fact answers.

Make your question to this board the first step in helping YOURSELF to gain the skills you require.

The programs are completely free for all LD and special needs uses.

If you try them, I’d love to hear what you think about them.

Brian
[email protected]

Hello,
My 12 year old son has the same problem. What we’ve done so far is have a “How to” page available that explains how to solve division problems. He practices division problems enough so that it’s automatic. Then, so he won’t forget I have him do division on a regular basis, say once a week or something. You’ll have to find out what works for you. What does division mean? If you don’t understand, find out in an elementary math book and add this to your “How to” page and review it too. My quess is that you will remember after all this review. Call the school and tell them you need to be helped with math and ask who could test or help you. Don’t let them brush you off with the comment that lots of people have trouble with math. Make a list of difficulties you are having in math, make a copy and take them to the school. Keep a copy to show others as neccessary. Let me know how things go. I wish you the best of luck! Keep trying to find someone to help you. :) Linda

I’m so glad to hear somebody doing this — just making sure to go back and review these complicated “basics” instead of saying ” okay, we’ve mastered — or at least endured — that, let’s relax until next year when you’ve forgotten it and we can sort of relearn it all over again!” Just doing an easy problem so that the steps get practiced on a regular basis keeps that mastery and — I”m suspecting more important — confidence.