MATH

HOW THE SPECIAL EDUCATION BRAIN LEARNS

SOUSA
 BRAIN BASICS
• Check the environment-clutter free, compatible
colors, music, lamps, plants
• Brain Food-fish, eggs, poultry, nuts, turkey-dark
meat, orange juice, tuna, white meat, whole grains,
bannans, pears, peaches, apples, yogurt
• Pure water 8-15 glasses per day-Hydrate
MATHEMATICAL DISABILITIES AND
THE BRAIN
• Research shows that humans are born with a number sense.
• Parietal and frontal lobes are primarily involved in basic
mathematics.
• Other parts of the brain are recruited into action when dealing with
more complex mathematics.
• Brain areas responsible for calculations are different from those used
in processing language. (Language is not necessary to calculation.)
 MATH
•6-8% of school age children have
serious difficulty processing
mathematics (same number as
serious reading problems)
 DYSACALCULIA TYPES

• Number concept difficulties

• Counting deficits
• Difficulties with arithmetic skills
• Procedural and memory disorders
• Visual-spatial deficits
STRATEGIES FOR MATHEMATICS

• Teach strategies in Mathematics for different learning styles

• Help students look at concrete models and link them to
abstract numerical representations.
• Allow for more time for mathematics study and for
completing assignments
• More oral and fewer written tests
STRATEGIES FOR MATHEMATICS
• Have purposeful and meaningful practice exercises
• Provide feedback before independent practice
• Maintain balanced expectations
• Build on student’s strengths and learning strategies and learning
styles
• Use Manipulatives appropriately-connect to what thinking!
• Connect to prior knowledge or future usefulness