help with maths for possible dyslexic

[sinpan]

My DS2 is 8, he appears to be somewhat dyslexic. It's in my family and he shows many of the usual symptoms, but so far it's not affected him very badly, except that he has to work twice as hard to achieve half as much. From reading these threads I see that's not unusual.

He's about a year behind with his reading but he really struggles with maths - he can spend hours doing the most simple sums and seems to be totally confused by even very basic concepts. I find it easier to encourage him with his reading because I always loved reading myself and have taught English to children overseas, but I don't feel so confident helping with his maths.

What systems do other parents use to help their dyslexic children at home with maths? DS 2 gets very little extra help at school, as there are other children with more severe learning difficulties. He has not been referred to an educational psychologist, nor is it likely that he will be, so I feel it's up to me to help him.

I went on a course once, funded by the local authority and delivered at my dc's school, called Help Your Child with Maths. Why not ask if such a course is available in your area? If they say no, say why not? They had one in Oxfordshire.

In the meantime, count things together, ask maths type qs eg, ooh we all need 2 spoons each for this meal, a big and a little spoon. How many spoons shall we put out altogether? Let him guess, then count them on to the table together. And talk about ages and dates of birth. Just make it part of every day life and conversation, no pressure.

Sinpan - DD (9) is dyslexic and way ahead in reading but her maths is..well she is going backwards at the moment. I know where you are coming from.

Can you not push for an Ed Psych assessment - these are really useful for seeing where your DS strengths and weaknesses lie across the board.

Anyway, I have to say that DD sees an SN teacher at school and we pay for a maths dyslexia tutor. Multiplication, number bonds etc are really really hard to learn and easily forgotten. Writing down numbers in the correct order can be tricky too - is nineteen 19 or 91?!

Anyway, have you come across NumberShark for the PC. This is a comprehensive and fun programme that covers many math topics at different levels designed for children like ours. It is expensive but sometimes it comes on ebay occasionally.

Thanks for this really useful advice, I do appreciate it. I will look out for Numbershark. We've just stopped seeing DS2's tutor, although she really helped, but the poor child begged for a break, as the tutor was working him very hard! We'll probably start again in a little while. Does it make a big difference do you think having a tutor who specialises in dyslexia?

We do try and work maths into the daily routine but I must admit I'm not very switched on to spotting the opportunities, so have to work at that. Help your child with maths sounds great.