What in the world is dyscalculia?: Recent Episodes
Honora Wall
What in the world is dyscalculia? Dyscalculia is the math learning disorder most people have never heard of. Which is hard to believe, because approximately 5 million K-12 students have dyscalculia-- just in the USA! In this podcast, find out what this learning disorder is all about and what it means to you as a teacher, a parent, and as a student.
Dr. Wall interviews Dawn Pagliaro-Newman, author of Dyscalculia Demystified. Learn why Dawn wrote this important book, what's inside, and what's next for educators interested in the math-related SLD.
Dr. Wall discusses instructional and system coherence. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how to obtain it in your classroom and school.
Dr. Wall discusses dyscalculia with Miss Grays Harbors Teen, Liliana Ayala. The pageant winner is using her platform to bring awareness to the math disability and shares her journey. Don't miss this episode!
Should we focus more on math fact memorization? Isn't that the gold standard of math proficiency? Dr. Wall says no! Learn why and what to do instead to increase not only fluency but also a strong mathematical skill set in all students. Learn more at www.thedtri.org.
Dr. Wall learned some interesting things at a recent home school convention, and they apply to everyone! In this episode, she discusses how awareness of dyscalculia has changed in the last two years. She also highlights key areas of need that will define her work in the next 12 months. Finally, she gives advice on easy, no-math-worksheet ways to improve mathematical thinking-- even for the lowest-scoring math students!
Why is prediction so important for students with dyscalculia? How can we quickly and easily support predictive skills in math class? Dr. Wall discusses this and more in this episode of What in the World is Dyscalculia.
Dr. Wall discusses a recent epiphany-- she has dyscalculia! Learn why it took her so long to find out, and what she thought about her math abilities. This episode is dedicated to all the adults who never knew there was a reason for their struggles.
Dr. Wall discusses executive function: What is it, what can we do about it, what actually helps, and how does it impact dyscalculia? Honora summarizes a 2015 meta analysis article by Diamond & Ling.
Dr. Wall has some issues with self-advocacy. Learn about the pros and cons of self-advocacy in this fiery episode, and learn more about dyscalculia at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org today.
Why should you keep using calculators, multiplication lists, and number lines? Why should you insist on written work? Dr. Wall discusses the justification for these crucial ideas: Evidence of thinking, stronger neural pathways, and a habit of precision and accuracy. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org.
Dr. Wall summarizes two domains and four key features of learning math. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org, or read the article "Learning Math" by researchers Das & Janzen (2004). Excellent tips for classroom teachers!
Support for dyscalculia: what happens when it's too much, too little, or just not quite right? Learn more at www.thedtri.org or www.educalclearning.com
Dr. Wall discusses a new research study from the University of Padua, regarding the natural development of the mental number line. What are the implications for classroom teachers? Find out more at www.thedtri.org and www.educalclearning.com.
Does making your bed help you make more money? Dr. Wall discusses the important questions we need to ask when we apply research studies. Learn more at www.thedtri.org.
Dr. Wall discusses a research study conducted by Dr. Katie Lewis in Washington state. The study analyzes common strategies that were the key to success for a student, and could be game changers for yours! Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org .
Dr. Wall describes the benefits and serious drawbacks of Instructional Design best practices and cognitive load, as it can overwhelm people with dyscalculia. Learn what goes wrong and how to help!
Become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist today at www.educalclearning.com, or enroll in dyscalculia-specific math classes at www.thedtri.org.
Dr. Wall highlights key findings from two meta analysis research articles about dyscalculia.
Are vouchers the answer to getting services for dyscalculia? Not necessarily. How can parents find the right services for their children, or themselves? Dr. Wall gives you specific questions to ask in this episode. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org.
Dr. Wall sets the tone for 2025, naming the theme of her work (spoiler alert: it isn't math!) and highlighting upcoming topics for the new year. What do you want to know about dyscalculia? Contact Dr. Wall at honora@educalclearning.com or honora@thedtri.org
What is the half-fraction advantage? Dr. Wall summarizes three key findings from a research study conducted by Dr. Mazzocco and others. You need to hear this!
Are academically challenging goals appropriate for students with dyscalculia? YES! Find out why, and how to implement them, in this episode.
Dr. Wall shares exciting, easy, and impactful IEP or 504 goals in this episode. She shares information from David Bateman and Dr. Lisa Goran, delivered at the 2024 CASE conference. Don't miss this one!
Dr. Wall has an unpopular opinion about math.... students don't have to like it! How can she say such a thing? Find out in this episode!
Same school, same grade level, same team.... very different 504 meetings! Dr. Wall highlights an important, and far too common, issue in getting the right support for dyscalculia. Become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist today at www.educalclearning.com!
Using alternative assessments lets students show their knowledge, beyond just paper-and-pencil or computer programs. You might be using a lot of these already, but are you grading them? Listen to Dr. Wall talk about alternative assessments and the importance of putting them in the gradebook!
IEPs require a different form of instruction (504 plans do not). But what does that mean for students with dyscalculia? In this episode, Dr. Wall dives deep into dyscalculia-specific instruction, how to do it, and why it helps. Learn more at www.thedtri.org or www.educalclearning.com.
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker discuss common issues, and some great tips!, for high school students with dyscalculia. Don't miss it!
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker discuss the elementary education challenges for people with dyscalculia.
Dr. Wall discusses the true trials and tribulations of upper level math for people with the math learning disorder, dyscalculia. Visit www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org for more information.
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker share their journeys to becoming dyscalculia experts. Don't miss this one!
Dr. Wall discusses some unsettling trends in evaluations and the importance of using trained, qualified, appropriate professionals for different types of evaluations. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org.
Students with dyscalculia (and other types of neurodivergence) ask the most interesting-- and difficult-- questions! Hear how Dr. Wall stumbled to answer a student's question and what teachers can do in this situation. Learn more and become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist at www.educalclearning.com
What is adaptive testing? Is it reliable or valid? Is it a good tool for assessing math abilities? Dr. Wall has thoughts!
There's a big problem in elementary math, and its name is Algebra! Dr. Wall discusses why early math should focus on true problem solving, using appropriate topics and methods. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com.
Math standards and memorization... how do they affect students with dyscalculia? Dr. Wall analyzes the connection and talks about the myth of basic facts importance in this episode. Learn more and become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist at www.educalclearning.com.
At least 8% of your students already have dyscalculia. The question is, are you prepared to help them?
Dr. Wall discusses the strangest dyscalculia accommodation yet! Learn which accommodations are best for students at different grade levels, and why they are both effective and necessary. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org.
Number Orientation: Is it part of dyscalculia? Dr. Wall discusses number orientation, common signs of dyscalculia, and the pragmatic use of interventions for people with dyscalculia. Visit www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org for more information.
Dr. Wall talks about the biggest frustration of working with people who have dyscalculia-- it may surprise you! Learn more at www.educalclearning.com or www.thedtri.org and share this episode with a teacher, tutor, or administrator who needs to hear it.
Dyscalculia is NOT the "numbers dyslexia"! Math and reading have different origin stories, and need different strategies, interventions, and accommodations. Dr. Wall highlights the symptoms of dyscalculia and summarizes research by Shalev & Gross-Tsur; find the article at www.thedtri.org and visit www.educalclearning.com today.
Does your state use RTI, MTSS, or a different approach? How do you know, and what does it all mean? Find out in this episode, and learn more at www.thedtri.org or www.educalclearning.com.
Are you an Ebeneezer educator, or a Fezziwig? Find out how to let a little love into your heart-- and your accommodations-- and watch the gifts come back to you! Learn more about accommodations and interventions for dyscalculia at thedtri.org or educalclearning.com and find Dr. Wall on social media.
dyscalculia #mathteacher #mathlearningdisability
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can occur at the same time as dyscalculia, or it can be a stand-alone condition. Anxiety (less severe or chronic than GAD) can develop over years of living with dyscalculia and not getting the right help. Dr. Wall explores the intersection of GAD and dyscalculia in this episode. Learn more at educalclearning.com and join our Facebook group, Teacher's Dyscalculia Support Group!
If you're not getting the answers you need, ask better questions! In this episode, Dr. Wall talks about the best way to use a calculator in both lower and higher level math classes. Learn more or book your teacher training workshop at www.educalclearning.com.
Why is it important to separate topics on assessments? Too many topics overwhelm cognitive load, zap mental energy, and give teachers bad data about student mastery. Find out why and what do differently in this episode of What in the World is Dyscalculia. Learn more at www.educalclearning.com and email Dr. Wall at honora@educalclearning.com.
Dr. Wall messed up this week; she forgot that tone of voice doesn't come through when typing an online comment! In this episode, hear how she recovered from this slip up, and what other questions it led her to ask: Can parents be angry when asking for help for their child? What kind of real-world examples are most useful for parents who need to educate their school about dyscalculia?
There's a lot to be excited about this school year! Listen to Dr. Wall's updates on the DTRI (www.thedtri.org), brand-new online math classes for people with dyscalculia (www.educalclearning.com), and a great, free screener developed by Touch Math (https://dysctest.com). Let's get excited!
Some researchers feel dyscalculia comes from a "core deficit" similar to dyslexia. What does that mean? Listen as Dr. Wall discusses findings from Drs. Butterworth, Varma, and Laurillard. Read the full article at www.thedtri.org and learn more about helping students with dyscalculia at www.educalclearning.com.
What do magnitude and value mean in terms of learning math? How does flexible thinking relate to math achievement? And what does all this mean for people with dyscalculia? Find out in this episode. Hosted by Dr. Wall at edcalclearning.com or thedtri.org.
Precision > Fluency, every time. Let go of the teaching methods that hold your students back and shift your focus to precision instead, Find out how and why in this episode!
Let's remove feelings of shame from our conversations about math! Also, learn about our new non-profit venture, the Dyscalculia Training & Research Institute (www.thedtri.org). Get involved in dyscalculia awareness!
What is a deficit model? Is it bad? Is it useful? How can a teacher, administrator, or parent know the difference between a deficit model, a discrepancy model, or an intervention program? Find out in this episode.
This is a success story about a student who went from failing math class to being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society! Find out how we did it in this episode. Email your episode requests to honora@educalclearning.com and visit https://www.educalclearning.com/ to become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist. today.
This episode discusses Dr. Wall's research into using increased blank space as a test accommodation for students with dyscalculia. Find out how she used a quantitative study to look into the use of increased blank space. Her results, plus implications for future research, are included. Have an idea for a future episode? Email honora@educalclearning.com.
Dr. Wall discusses her first math student, and the lessons she learned in helping this person find success in math. Please send your comments or ideas for future episodes to honora@educalclearning.com, and visit www.educalclearning.com to learn about dyscalculia. PS-- EduCalc Learning's dyscalculia specialist certification program is live! Sign up and get certified today.
How long should you drill basic facts? For students with dyscalculia, the answer is never again! Stop drilling basic facts. Find out why, and what to do instead, in this episode. Share your comments with honora@educalclearning.com.
In this episode, host Honora Wall has a bone to pick... and some good advice for teachers to modernize their work, reflect on their personal goals for their students, and to respect their profession by actively engaging in modernizing their approach to assigned and assessed work.
Middle school math is a crucial time for students with dyscalculia. The math learning disability impacts middle school math in key areas. Why is graphing so difficult? Why are variables so confusing? How does dyscalculia affect mastery of formulas and procedures? Should students with dyscalculia take Algebra in middle school? This episode answers these questions, plus touches on the importance of the social-emotional experience of middle school students who struggle with math.
Using a calculator for all assignments is an appropriate accommodation for students with dyscalculia-- but is often pushed back by elementary teachers. Why should students use calculators? What can they use instead? Why is this an appropriate accommodation? Find out in this episode.
Betty and I met when she left school due to her dyslexia and dyscalculia-- as a 6th grader! She had already decided that she could not, would not be able to do math. I'm happy to say that wasn't true and Betty is back in a traditional classroom today, doing very well. Hear about how Betty and I found her access point for math success in this podcast.
Should students use a calculator in math class? YES. Isn't that cheating? NO! Don't people have to memorize their times tables to pass math class? No, no, no. Dyscalculia causes a loss of math information over time. Find out why using calculators, times tables lists, or 1 to 100 charts are appropriate accommodations for students with dyscalculia. Contact honora@educalclearning.com for the research behind these claims, and visit www.educalclearning.com for more tips to support people with dyscalculia. Teachers, we offer training, both online and in person. Schedule yours today!
Accommodations are key to success for students with Specific Learning Disorders, especially dyscalculia. However, not all accommodations offer equal benefits! In this episode, learn about an effective, easy, successful way to use extended time.
Dyscalculia is a lifelong learning disorder that impacts earning potential, self-confidence, and daily life for many adults. But it doesn't have to! Learn more about the adult experience of dyscalculia in this episode.
Let's talk about The Dyscalculia Trifecta: Time, Money, and Place Value. These topics make up the majority of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade math work, and they are especially problematic for people with dyscalculia. What can be done to help? Find out in this episode.
How can you get a diagnosis for dyscalculia? Where can you get one? And why is it so hard! In this episode, we talk about the different ways dyscalculia can be diagnosed, and which ones you are likely to get. Enjoy.
In this introductory episode, we take a Big Picture view of the Specific Learning Disorder, dyscalculia. What is it? Why should we talk about it? What will this podcast cover? Find out here.