BEST Websites for Dyscalculia & Dyspraxia

The third in a series of five articles with specific special needs resources

As planned and promised, we are continuing our series of articles containing helpful links to websites for specific special needs. This week, the websites presented are for dyscalculia and dyspraxia, two different disabilities that some consider as two other forms of dyslexia.

Before we present the best websites for these two learning challenges, however, we first want to provide good definitions for these learning issues.

What Is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia refers to a wide range of lifelong learning disabilities involving math. There is no single type of math disability. Dyscalculia can vary from person to person. It can also affect people differently at different stages of life. Using alternate learning methods, people with dyscalculia can achieve success. Currently, statistics vary regarding the incidence of this particular learning disability.
(Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities---NCLD: Please see website link to follow below here.)

What Is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder throughout the brain that results in life-long impaired motor, memory, judgment, processing, and other cognitive skills. Dyspraxia also impacts the immune and central nervous systems. Each dyspraxic person has different abilities and weaknesses as dyspraxia often comes with a variety of comorbidities. One in ten persons in the U.S. suffers from dyspraxia.
(Source: Dyspraxia Foundation USA: Please see website link to follow below here.)

BEST Websites for Dyscalculia

National Center for Learning Disabilities---Dyscalculia
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/what-is-dyscalculia

about dyscalculia
http://aboutdyscalculia.org/resources.html

Dyscalculia.org-Math Tools
http://www.dyscalculia.org/math-tools

Apps to Help Students with Dyscalculia and Math Difficulties---by Darla Hatton and Kaila Hatton (via NCLD)
http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education/apps-students-ld-dyscalculia-math-difficulties

The British Dyslexia Association---Dyscalculia Primer & Resource Guide
http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/dyscalculiaprimerandresourceguide.htm

BEST Websites for Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia Foundation USA
http://www.dyspraxiausa.org/

Six Helpful Dyspraxia Resources---from the National Center for Learning Disabilities
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyspraxia/helpful-motor-skills-development-resources

Blog: occupationaltherapyforchildren.over-blog.com
http://occupationaltherapyforchildren.over-blog.com/article-dyspraxia-87698021.html

Dyspraxia (Children) – Symptoms (from NHS in the UK)
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dyspraxia-(childhood)/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

BRAIN.HE (Best Resources for Achievement and Intervention re Neurodiversity in Higher Education)
http://www.brainhe.com/students/types/dyspraxia.html

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC

Helpful Apps for Dyscalculia

The NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities) describes dyscalculia as “a wide range of lifelong learning disabilities involving math. There is no single type of math disability. Dyscalculia can vary from person to person. And, it can affect people differently at different stages of life.

Two major areas of weakness can contribute to math learning disabilities:

• Visual-spatial difficulties, which result in a person having trouble processing what the eye sees
• Language processing difficulties, which result in a person having trouble processing and making sense of what the ear hears

Using alternate learning methods, people with dyscalculia can achieve success.”

As with many learning challenges, specific strategies, accommodations, tools and other resources can enable affected students to experience more learning success. It is no different with dyscalculia. Because of this, and as a result of several inquiries at Brennan Innovators for teaching materials and resources for dyscalculia, we thought this would be a very good time to provide a few apps for teachers and parents of children with this learning challenge.

Apps for Dyscalculia

Math Teacher by Gianluca Puggelli (for iPhone---price $.99)
This is an application that helps kids work with basic mathematical operations. It supports multiplication, division, addition and subtraction tables. The app can be of particular benefit to those challenged with dyscalculia.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-teacher/id419156026?mt=8

Telling Time by My Turn Mobile (for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.Requires iOS 3.0 or later---price $1.99)
This app has three levels allowing students to advance their skills. It compares the analog clock to the digital clock.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/telling-time/id346913342?mt=8

Coin Math by Recession Apps (for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.Requires iOS 4.3 or later---price $1.99)
This app begins with identification of coins, counting coins, making change, and shopping. This app allows users to advance levels.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/coin-math/id296596459?mt=8

A Math App: Multiplication Simplified – HD by App-Zoo (for iPad--Requires iOS 3.2 or later--price $.99)
This is a visual app that uses skip counting and is particularly good for those students who have difficulty with memorizing facts.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/a-math-app-multiplication/id392185727?mt=8

Algebra Touch (for Phone, iPod Touch, iPad--- Price: $2.99)
ALGEBRA TOUCH allows kids to manipulate and solve single-variable algebraic equations and terms in a very creative way. Kids drag their finger on the screen to move terms from one side of the equation to the other, or they can tap to factor or solve. A list of other algebra apps is also under development via this same link, so stay tuned!
http://www.dyscalculia.org/math-tools/apps-4-math/math-apps

A Collection of Multiplication Apps (for Apple, Android, Kindle Fire, & Nook devices-prices vary)
http://www.rocknlearn.com/html/multiplication-apps.htm

Other Resources for Dyscalculia

LDOnline Definition of and information on dyscalculia
http://www.ldonline.org/article/13709/

NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities) Additional information on dyscalculia (includes warning signs and symptoms, treatment options, parent/teacher forum comments and other information)
http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-language/ld-aamp-math/what-is-dyscalculia

Dyscalculia.org Website with “Math Learning Disability Resources”
http://www.dyscalculia.org/

References
1. LDOnline http://www.ldonline.org/article/13709/
2. NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities) http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-language/ld-aamp-math/what-is-dyscalculia
3. Dyscalculia.org http://www.dyscalculia.org/

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-language/ld-aamp-math/what-is-dyscalculia