
What in the world is dyscalculia?
63 episodes — Page 1 of 2

S4 Ep 11How do you know if you have 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.

S4 Ep 10Explore or Be Direct?
Dr. Wall discusses her thoughts on exploratory, direct, or other teaching methods.

S4 Ep 9Executive Function
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.

S4 Ep 8Self-advocacy Pros and Cons
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.

S4 Ep 73 Reasons Why Calculators and Written Work Count
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.

S4 Ep 6Learning Math by Das & Janzen
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!

S4 Ep 5Why is it so hard to get accommodations?
Getting support for dyscalculia shouldn't be so hard.

S4 Ep 4The Goldilocks Issue and Dyscalculia
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

S4 Ep 3Mental Number Lines and Baby Chicks
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.

S4 Ep 2Understanding Research: Does Making Your Bed Earn More Money?
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.

S4 Ep 1Common Strategies for Dyscalculia
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 .

S3 Ep 12Clash of the Titans: ID vs Cognitive Load
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.

S3 Ep 11Two Research Articles: Meta Analysis
Dr. Wall highlights key findings from two meta analysis research articles about dyscalculia.

S3 Ep 10Vouchers and Services for 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.

S3 Ep 92025 Goals and Themes
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 [email protected] or [email protected]

S3 Ep 8Half-fraction Advantage
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!

S3 Ep 7Academically Challenging Goals
Are academically challenging goals appropriate for students with dyscalculia? YES! Find out why, and how to implement them, in this episode.

S3 Ep 6Writing Great IEP & 504 Goals
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!

S3 Ep 5Dr. Wall's Unpopular Opinion
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!

S3 Ep 4A Tale of Two 504 Meetings
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!

S3 Ep 3Using Alternative Assessments
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!

S3 Ep 2Instruction for Dyscalculia: The Missing Piece
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.

S3 Ep 1High School TIps for Dyscalculia
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker discuss common issues, and some great tips!, for high school students with dyscalculia. Don't miss it!

S2 Ep 25Elementary Tips for Dyscalculia
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker discuss the elementary education challenges for people with dyscalculia.

S2 Ep 24Upper Level Math and 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.
S2 Ep 23Two Journeys to Dyscalculia Expert
Dr. Wall and Katie Walker share their journeys to becoming dyscalculia experts. Don't miss this one!

S2 Ep 22Trends in Evaluations
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.

S2 Ep 21Difficult Questions
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

S2 Ep 20Adaptive Testing
What is adaptive testing? Is it reliable or valid? Is it a good tool for assessing math abilities? Dr. Wall has thoughts!

S2 Ep 19Elementary Math and Problem Solving
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.

S2 Ep 18Math Standards and Memorization
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.

S2 Ep 17Are you prepared to help?
At least 8% of your students already have dyscalculia. The question is, are you prepared to help them?

S2 Ep 16The Strangest Accommodation
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.

S2 Ep 15Number Orientation: Is it part of dyscalculia?
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.

S2 Ep 14My Biggest Frustration with Dyscalculia!
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.

S2 Ep 13Dyscalculia, Reading, and Math
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.

S2 Ep 12RTI Approaches Across States
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.

S2 Ep 11Ebeneezer or Fezziwig?
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

S2 Ep 10Anxiety and Dyscalculia
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!

S2 Ep 9Asking the Right Calculator Questions
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.

S2 Ep 8Assessment Accommodations: No Mixed Topics!
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 [email protected].

S2 Ep 7Text and Tone of Voice
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?

S2 Ep 62023 School Year
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!

S2 Ep 5Dyscalculia: Core Deficit? Butterworth, Varma, Laurillard
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.

S2 Ep 4Dyscalculia, Magnitude, and Value
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.

S2 Ep 3Precision
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!

S2 Ep 2A Shift in Focus
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!

S2 Ep 1Season 2: Venus Flytrap
Dyscalculia has an official plant mascot: the Venus flytrap!

S1 Ep 15Deficit Model vs Discrepancy Model
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.

S1 Ep 14From failure to NJHS
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 [email protected] and visit https://www.educalclearning.com/ to become a Certified Dyscalculia Specialist. today.