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Module 4

During this module, we took a look at the different resources, strategies, and techniques you can use to best support learners in mathematics. We also looked at the overall importance and necessity behind using compassion and empathy when moving throughout these subjects with students who have exceptionalities. 

Dyscalculia vs Dyslexia 

When we began looking at different exceptionalities that can be experienced within a math (or other) classroom, dyscalculia and dyslexia were both brought to the forefront of the conversation. There are many comparisons that can be made between the two learning exceptionalities. Often, the two are put under the same umbrella, however, they also have many differences that make them unique. 

Dyslexia has many symptoms that include poor reading skills, reversed word and letter sequences, and illegible handwriting. It is a neurological disorder that causes a great difficulty when learning to read or spell (regardless of other intelligences). It is a neurobiological condition that has genetic aspects. 

Dyscalculia symptoms include visual-spatial difficulties, language processing difficulties, and trouble understanding what they hear. They also have issues processing umbers, time, and the space around them. This exceptionality greatly affects simple mathematics for many students. Dyscalculia, while not necessarily genetic in fashion, it is known to run through family genes. 

The similarities and differences between the two learning disabilities mentioned are often why they are lumped into the same category or listed as the same form of exceptionality. However, as you can see, there are many differences as well. Before this course, I had not heard of dyscalculia before. I ended up working with a colleague on a School Based Teams assignment regarding a mutual student. Throughout that process, we had discovered that dyscalculia was something that we should keep on our radar. I think that being able to differentiate between many types of learning disabilities (regardless of what subject you teach) will help students in a big way in the long run. 

References: 

Posted August 20, 2019 in A., Posted August 25, 2016 in C. M., Posted April 26, 2018 in A., & Posted October 14, 2015 in E. (2021, March 5). Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia: What's the difference? Advancement Courses. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://blog.advancementcourse... 

Is dyslexia hereditary? Reading Rockets. (2013, November 7). Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.readingrockets.org... 

What is dyscalculia. Understood. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.understood.org/en/...