SpLD Assessment Standards Committee

The theoretical approach for assessing maths difficulties and Dyscalculia is outlined in the new SASC Guidance and in the joint SASC/BDA definition of Dyscalculia. The SpLD Test Evaluation Committee is in the process of identifying assessment tools to identify dyscalculia under these new guidelines. During the training some assessment tools that have been evaluated will be discussed.

In the first part of the course the course will examine the SASC Guidance. In the second part of the course Peter Jarrett a leading expert on Dyscalculia, will explore, through an anonymised assessment, how a student with dyslexia and dyscalculia could be assessed. He will also review some of the available standardised assessment tests and screening tests for identifying difficulties with maths. An opportunity at the end of the training event will be available for assessors to ask questions around how to assess for Dyscalculia and other Maths Difficulties.

 What will be covered on the course is listed below:

• What is meant by concept or sense of number (subitising, symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison, and ordering - cardinality, ordinality)
• Its effects on maths development
• Potential effects of general domain deficits on maths performance
• Recent research into causes of maths anxiety, and the impact it can have.
• Tips from the literature about how to go about qualitative information gathering, including detailed history taking.
• A case study on a learner with Dyscalculia
• Review of the following standardised assessment tools as well as review of currently available screeners. Feifer Assessment of mathematics; Kaufman; AAB; More trouble with Maths. In addition, assessments that have recently been reviewed by STEC will be discussed as will the efficacy of mathematical/numeracy components of existing tests.