Will dsycalculia keep DD from going to a 4 yr college

[Anonymous]

My DD has a diagnosed math LD and IEP. Other subjects on grade level. Some EF issues and major test anxiety (mostly math but doesn’t do great in general under pressure or in a timed activity like standardized tests). Is there any hope or way to help her get into a mainstream 4 year college? Grades except math are Bs but math (no matter how hard she tries, tutoring, extra help, accommodations) Ds and at best a C. It’s a constant struggle and honestly less emphasis on math would probably result in better grades in other subjects. DD is not going into a STEM field - both her thing and never has been. We are entering 10th and getting worried community college will be the only option even thought she really wants a traditional 4 year experience. Any thoughts on what to do?

[Anonymous]

Please provide some more information.

What level of math is your daughter enrolled in?

What kind of math tutoring have you arranged? Has it been focused on repairing skill deficits or just surviving the current math class?

Are you willing to have her go to summer school and is it possible to replace a "D" with summer school credit?

What subjects does your daughter enjoy? Particularly ones that would be college major likely?

If this were my kid, I might try Mathnasium's approach. It's a bit friendlier than Kumon. I believe the online IXL.com software can be used by a parent to identify skill deficits. Then maybe build skills back up from 5th/6th grade math.

What is the highest level of math planned and needed...Algebra 2?

[Anonymous]

I just want to offer some reassurance as a parent a little further along than you. Our youngest has a disability affecting motor planning that makes math very difficult. He earned a D in 9th grade geometry. It was awful. He even tried to retake it but it was too stressful. The SAT was insurmountable due to geometry but he has done OK otherwise. We focus on strengths. There are many colleges that will forgive a bad grade here or there and many that take kids with B averages. Our son is TO. Like your DD, he isn’t going to major in STEM so that helps. I once worried that he would have no options but he has some good ones. Keep in mind your DD will continue to grow and mature and her GPA might look much better by fall of senior year. I know my son’s does.

[Anonymous]

My daughter’s best friend is at SCAD, another classmate with dyscalculia is at Eckerd, and I know another family with a child at USC and one at College of Charleston.

(DD went to dyslexia- focused schools so for us this is a common challenge in peer group)

All were looking for non-math majors, and one is doing well in computer science as he loves coding.

If you can, find a tutor with multi-sensory math training (Marilyn Zecher). And focus on math as it relates to practical stuff. The design student needed to focus on business-type math as she wants to open a studio.

And they can take the opportunity to tell the story in college essays, not just about struggle, but about what they like.

In our experience geometry was the worst math and it increased math anxiety which became the bigger issue. Data analytics math really helped fix that along with tutoring.

I know it feels like a terrible slog right now, but it really does get better.

[Anonymous]

I second the multisensory math approach. Find a tutor who is trained by Marilyn Zecher - email ASDEC and ask for a referral. My dyslexic and dyscalculia kid is at a public, non selective four year college. All states have them.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there will be four year schools that will welcome her.

[Anonymous]

I am an adult with dyscalculia, and a host of other LDs. I struggled with math in ES, MS, and HS. I topped out at Algebra 2 and only took 3 years of math in HS. I attended a four-year college, a SLAC, and earned a C in Stats. I went on to grad school in political science and earned a PhD. I even taught statistics. I did fine with Stats, even more advanced stats, once we were using computer programs to handle the calculations. I had learned the concepts and understood the process but was not able to demonstrate that effectively in school. Once the math turned into, pick the right method and apply the following procedures, I was good to go.

I am not sure how much math has changed today, my kid did not inherit my learning issues and is ahead in math, he loves the subject, but I have to imagine that there are still colleges that will take kids who struggle with math. I think the key is identifying a major that does not require a strong math component and being able to explain why your math progress was different then progress in other classes.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting this, I have an 8th grader with such a similar profile so very much on my mind. I am encouraged by the responses.

[Anonymous]

Is doing ok in community college and a transfer to 4 year a disaster?

[Anonymous]

OP here and I REALLY appreciate the support and words of wisdom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is doing ok in community college and a transfer to 4 year a disaster?

No but why can't kids with LDs have the same opportunities? Many work as hard if not harder but grades don't reflect this.

[Anonymous]

Is her math track sufficient to graduate with a regular HS diploma? If so, there is a 4 year college that will be a good fit. What level of non math classes is she taking? Possibilities off the top of my head for supportive but mainstream schools include Cornell College (where she would take one class at a time), McDaniel, Davis & Elkins, Dean, Marist, Lynn. Beacon and Landmark if a LD focused school is a good fit. If she doesn't need support in non math subjects, pay attention to how students can fulfill distribution requirements.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely, OP. There are schools that will take straight C students if you have the money to pay for it.

There are also special programs for students with learning disabilities inside some larger schools.

https://www.petersons.com/blog/20-great-colleges-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/

I had a dyslexic student several years ago who went to highpoint and loved it. Just work to find a major that requires little to no math.

[Anonymous]

My dyslexic, dyscalculia child goes to Jemicy.
Here is a link to colleges that Jemicy graduates attend:
https://www.jemicyschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-acceptances

Your child can absolutely go to a 4 yr school.

Sure you can get a tutor and throw lots of time and money at it or just accept it’s hard for your child, give them a calculator and not have to memorize steps and formulas and life will probably be a lot easier for you and your child. My kid will never be good at math, we embrace technology and move on. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is doing ok in community college and a transfer to 4 year a disaster?

No but why can't kids with LDs have the same opportunities? Many work as hard if not harder but grades don't reflect this.

I agree that there are 4 year schools that will accept her, but I also can endorse CC and transfer which we did with my EF challenged, ADHD, slow processing speed DD. Getting her used to the pace of college courses without having to also manage the social dynamic and all the complications of learning to live on her own was a really great choice for her. I have seen so many kids who were not ready go off to 4 year colleges for the “experience” and then end up not succeeding. You know what will work best for your DD but I wanted to put it out there that CC to 4 year school is not a consolation prize. It’s a great option for many kids.