Students with dyscalculia are typically thought of by both researchers and educators as having deficits. The deficit language permeates studies of dyscalculia as well as assessments and documentation of students in schools. In this paper, we offer an alternative to the dominant narrative. We understand disabilities, and dyscalculia specifically,…

Cara, a seventh-grade student with learning disabilities (LD) in mathematics, believes that the ratio 2:3 is equivalent to 4:5 because there is a difference of one between the two numbers in each ratio and there is a difference of two between corresponding numbers in the two ratios (2 + 2 = 4 and 3 + 2 = 5). This misconception affects her ability…

Ratios and proportions are foundational to student understanding across multiple topics in mathematics and science. In mathematics, they are central to developing concepts and skills related to slope, constant rate of change, and similar figures, which are all fundamental to algebraic concepts and skills. This article examines the importance of…

Often mathematical instruction for students with disabilities, especially those with learning disabilities, includes an overabundance of instruction on mathematical computation and does not include high-quality instruction on mathematical reasoning and problem solving. In fact, it is a common misconception that students with learning disabilities…

A visual representation, such as a diagram, can be a powerful strategy for solving mathematical word problems. However, using a representation to solve mathematical word problems is not as simple as it seems! Many students with learning disabilities struggle to use a diagram effectively and efficiently. This article provides a framework for…

The purpose of this study was to better understand how students with learning disabilities, including those who struggle specifically with mathematics, engage with fraction computation. In particular, we examined error patterns, the influence of like and unlike denominators on these patterns, and correct solution methods. Although skill-related…

Students are often told to use representations to solve mathematics problems, yet it may be a hindrance for many. This article contains an approach, the Graphic Representational Analysis Process, that teachers can use to analyze representations and focus future instruction. (Contains 7 figures.)