The Windward School: Decoding Dyslexia in Math Class

When we think of dyslexia, reading, writing, and spelling difficulties usually come to mind. But dyslexia can affect math skills, too.

It makes sense: Digits and abstract visual patterns can be just as tricky to decipher and decode as letters and words—the brain relies on the same neural pathways.

As The Windward School, an ALDS founding school, points out, “Math is a language in and of itself. . . While dyslexia may not directly impair mathematical reasoning, it can influence various skills that are critical for math learning.”

Here are just a few of the essential math skills that intersect with dyslexia:

• Memorizing math facts → impaired working memory in kids with dyslexia makes automaticity and retrieval of facts—like times tables—difficult

• Understanding math language and vocabulary → slower language processing speeds can make it hard to understand common phrases like “greater than,” “less than,” and “equal to”

• Noticing and interpreting patterns → visual-spatial weaknesses in kids with dyslexia can impact their recognition of these types of patterns, especially in geometry

The good news: The same structured literacy techniques that educators apply to reading and writing instruction—essential for students with dyslexia—can be applied to all content areas, including math.

Check out The Windward School’s blog post to learn more, including specific strategies educators can use to support students with dyslexia in math.

Remember: Many dyslexic strengths—like problem-solving, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity—are significant assets when tackling math. The right instructional tools and strategies can unleash them, making math a more positive, confidence-inspiring experience for kids.

An important note: Dyscalculia, a specific learning difference in math, can sometimes—but not always—accompany dyslexia. Students with dyslexia may not have dyscalculia and simply struggle with math for the same reasons they struggle with reading and writing.

For additional insights:

• Check out what The Carroll School—another ALDS member school—has to say about teaching math.
• Watch this helpful video from the International Dyslexia Association on building the “math muscle.”