Will dsycalculia keep DD from going to a 4 yr college

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but there is a homeschooling math program that many families rave about for their kids who really struggle with math (dyscalculia or other issues). Here is a link for more information: https://www.denisonalgebra.com/course-page

The "success" versions of courses are for students who really struggle with math.

[Anonymous]

I have a DD who started middle school this year with profound dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD and I have the same worries. We just started tutoring with Made For Math. It's a Marilyn Zecker based approach (and most tutors there were trained by her) and it's entirely virtual. They sent us a large box of manipulatives for DD to work with. Virtual tutoring did not work well for reading, but it seems to be working for math. It's early days, so I can't give a glowing review, but so far so good. Worth checking out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this is helpful or not, but there is a homeschooling math program that many families rave about for their kids who really struggle with math (dyscalculia or other issues). Here is a link for more information: https://www.denisonalgebra.com/course-page

The "success" versions of courses are for students who really struggle with math.

Not OP but parent to 8th grader with similar diagnosis—is this a program people can use if not being homeschooled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

But SCAD is not a “ mainstream four year college” which is what OP asked for.

[Anonymous]

1. Of course she can get into college. Is it going to be an expensive one compared to its ranking? Yes. How much is a 4 year college experience for your daughter worth to you? The best you can hope for is in-state tuition at a small college that is not at all as selective as the flagship. Because you really don't want to pay 50K for an out-of-state college with no merit aid if she's not destined for a high-paying career. Unless you have money and don't care about the ROI.

2. This discussion is less about the specific disability and more about her overall functioning and level of intelligence. My oldest also has dyscalculia, but by dint of intensive re-teaching by both parents and paying for expensive one-on-one tutors, he clawed his way to AP Calc BC in senior year, and got a 35 out of 36 on his ACT... with a double time accommodation, because his processing speed is below the 10th percentile. Humanities major, but for his cognitive development and college prospects, we wanted him to stretch as much as he could. He got into UMD Honors and various other similarly-ranked institutions, but ended up at a private which was specialized in his preferred major.

3. I would get your daughter a tutor and have her really work at her math. Even if she never uses it in her adult life... she needs to put some effort into her self-improvement. I think it's also great for self-esteem. And then, once in college, she can specialize in what she wants and really shine.

4. You say EF issues: is she medicated for ADHD? My kid's functioning increased with ADHD meds, even the things that weren't directly tied to ADHD, like processing speed, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

There are schools where as long as you have a 2.5 GPA, you get in. I am a professor at UDC and this is our admission standard. I doubt you would consider this school as the traditional 4-year experience but it’s also not community college. You can get a good education at almost any college or university if you pick your classes carefully.

[Anonymous]

…we wanted him to stretch as much as he could. He got into UMD Honors and various other similarly-ranked institutions, but ended up at a private which was specialized in his preferred major…

And how is his mental health?

[Anonymous]

Our daughter has always struggled with math and had a very uneven SAT score, (200 point difference )and barely scraped through easy IB math in high school. She didn't get into two schools with 80% admit rates that were larger schools--the kind that probably have minimums for arbitrary screening.

She did get into seven SLAC, all with merit , some with admit rates in the >50%> I assume it's because those schools saw the value in a "pointy" kid.

[Anonymous]

HS math teacher here. There are students in VA who graduate with never taking Alg 2 and stop with AFDA as their highest course. They go to 4 year colleges. There are thousands of colleges out there and many, many programs don’t require a lot of math. This is not anything to worry about.

One of my own kids only took 3 years of math in HS, which many think no one does, but he had an IEP and just wanted to graduate. He had many options for 4 year colleges when it was time to apply.

[Anonymous]

^ adding to above, and went test optional and didn’t even take the SATs or ACTs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Of course she can get into college. Is it going to be an expensive one compared to its ranking? Yes. How much is a 4 year college experience for your daughter worth to you? The best you can hope for is in-state tuition at a small college that is not at all as selective as the flagship. Because you really don't want to pay 50K for an out-of-state college with no merit aid if she's not destined for a high-paying career. Unless you have money and don't care about the ROI.

2. This discussion is less about the specific disability and more about her overall functioning and level of intelligence. My oldest also has dyscalculia, but by dint of intensive re-teaching by both parents and paying for expensive one-on-one tutors, he clawed his way to AP Calc BC in senior year, and got a 35 out of 36 on his ACT... with a double time accommodation, because his processing speed is below the 10th percentile. Humanities major, but for his cognitive development and college prospects, we wanted him to stretch as much as he could. He got into UMD Honors and various other similarly-ranked institutions, but ended up at a private which was specialized in his preferred major.

3. I would get your daughter a tutor and have her really work at her math. Even if she never uses it in her adult life... she needs to put some effort into her self-improvement. I think it's also great for self-esteem. And then, once in college, she can specialize in what she wants and really shine.

4. You say EF issues: is she medicated for ADHD? My kid's functioning increased with ADHD meds, even the things that weren't directly tied to ADHD, like processing speed, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

Many lower ranked schools give merit money to everyone. Don't assume the bolded is true without research. If a smaller, more handhold-y school is right for your child, I am confident that you will find one that provides merit money.