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Learning difficulties
Learning Difficulties
An overview of learning difficulties and specific learning disorders
Dyslexia
A specific learning disability in reading is commonly called dyslexia.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling and/or trouble putting thoughts on paper.
Dyscalculia
A learning disorder related to mathematics is commonly referred to as Dyscalculia
Other disorders that can affect learning
Information regarding other conditions that can affect learning
Families
Telethon Family Support Hub
Information and advice for parents and carers of children with learning difficulties.
When should a child be assessed?
Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
What is involved in an assessment?
Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
How can families support children?
Information on how parents can assist and support their children in all aspects of learning
Where can I learn more about learning disorders?
Adults
Adults
An overview of learning difficulties in adults and support options
Can adults have learning disorders?
Information on how learning disorders can affect adults in the workplace and when undertaking further education
When should an adult be assessed?
Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
What support is available for adults?
Information on how DSF can assist and support you and what provisions can be made in the workplace and when completing further studies
Where can I learn more about learning disorders?
Professionals
Professionals
Information for professionals working with individuals with learning difficulties
Schools
Services and information for schools and educational organisations
Teachers and Tutors
Advice and information for teachers.
Allied Health Professionals
Information for Speech Pathologists and Psychologists
Positions available
Current job opportunities at DSF
Our Services
Workshops and Events
Find out about upcoming events for parents, students and professionals.
Online Learning
Learn more about our Understanding Learning Difficulties e-Learning course
Clinical Services
Consultations, speech pathology and other assessments.
Tutoring
DSF maintains a register of qualified specialist tutors for children and adults.
DSF Literacy Clinics
Individual and small-group tutoring for students in Perth and Albany.
Resources
Free Resources
Download free resources for all ages
DSF developed resources
Learn more about our specifically designed literacy resources
Resources for Families
Access a variety of free resources to to assist families with children learning from home
Online store
Purchase books, activities and other literacy tools from the DSF online store.
DSF Library
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Dyslexia - SPELD Foundation
Literacy & Clinical Services
Login
Learning difficulties
Learning Difficulties
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
Dyscalculia
Other disorders that can affect learning
Families
Telethon Family Support Hub
When should a child be assessed?
What is involved in an assessment?
How can families support children?
Where can I learn more about learning disorders?
Adults
Adults
Can adults have learning disorders?
When should an adult be assessed?
What support is available for adults?
Where can I learn more about learning disorders?
Professionals
Professionals
Schools
Teachers and Tutors
Allied Health Professionals
Positions available
Our Services
Workshops and Events
Online Learning
Clinical Services
Tutoring
DSF Literacy Clinics
Resources
Free Resources
DSF developed resources
Resources for Families
Online store
DSF Library
News
Who we are
Become a member
Contact
Search
Teachers and Tutors
Mathematics
Effective Teaching Strategies For All Students
Reading and Spelling
Written Expression
Mathematics
The DSF Spelling Wheel
Teachers and Tutors
In this section
Teachers and Tutors overview
Effective Teaching Strategies For All Students
Reading and Spelling
Written Expression
Mathematics
The DSF Spelling Wheel
Supporting Students with Learning Difficulties in the Classroom
Small Group Instruction
What are Accommodations?
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Resources
Selecting an Intervention Program
Intervention Strategies
Reading Intervention
Spelling Intervention
Spelling Rules and Guidelines
Writing Intervention
Numeracy Intervention
Similiar to the principles of high-quality literacy instruction, the initial teaching of numeracy should be carefully sequenced, highly structured, and explicit.
When approaching the effective teaching of mathematics, a strong numeracy program will include the following:
explicit and systematic instruction in
building
number sense
guided and repeated practice of
effective counting strategies
direct and systematic instruction in calculation techniques (
procedural knowledge
)
direct instruction in the
language of mathematics
cumulative instruction in developing
number facts
with brief and purposeful practice
Individual differences observed in children's mathematics development is often related to variations in the development of their underlying approximate number system (also known as number sense). Number sense is one of the most important developments in the early years for the acquisition of numeracy skills and is seen as one of the biggest predictors of mathematical proficiency in primary school.
Delays in number sense not only reduce the ability to utilise effective calculation techniques, but they also reduce the development of maths reasoning skills and number fact storage by reducing a student's ability to use strategic counting, understand the base-10 number system and work with place value, utilise estimation skills to check their answers, change computational strategies when the need arises and to develop an understanding of the language of mathematics (including the link between number words and numerals).
A well rounded numeracy program explicitly teaches these foundation skills and regularly rehearses and reviews these component skills when tackling higher order mathematical tasks.
More Information
Numeracy Resources
Download a free info sheet on promoting numeracy development
Remediation of Maths Difficulties
Download a free info sheet on remediation strategies
Support Strategies
Download a free info sheet on support strategies and accommodations for students with numeracy difficulties