Living with Dyscalculia with Peter Cherry and Cat Eadle

The SENDcast

For many of us, everyday tasks such as entering our PIN numbers, not exceeding the speed limit, food shopping or telling the time we take for granted. However, for individuals living with dyscalculia, these seemingly simple numerical activities can pose significant, and often debilitating, challenges.

Dyscalculia affects 6-10% of the population (around 4 million people), the same proportion as dyslexia, but unlike dyslexia, most people haven’t heard of it. Dyscalculia is a little-known, much misunderstood and under-researched learning difficulty.

Today, Peter Cherry joins us to give us an insight into what it’s like ‘Living with Dyscalculia’ along with Cat Eadle, co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network. Peter and Cat give us a great overview of dyscalculia and cover topics including:

• What is dyscalculia?
• The daily challenges faced when living with dyscalculia
• Plans to extend Maths education to 18
• March 2022 was the first time it has been discussed in parliament
• The difficulties finding employment without a Maths GCSE
• Lack of awareness, support and understanding in schools and the workplace
• Practical tips and strategies

Listen to this insightful discussion to learn about dyscalculia and help to ensure that those impacted by this learning difficulty receive the support, adjustments and respect they deserve.

New episodes will still be going live over the Summer holiday so hopefully you’ll have some time to sit back and relax in the sunshine listening to more fantastic guests!

Have a great Summer break!

About Peter Cherry

Peter Cherry is a passionate volunteer for the Dyscalculia Network, where he serves as Chair of the Adults with Dyscalculia Advisory Board. His drive to raise awareness and advocate for dyscalculia has led him to write about his experiences in letters to the Guardian, in an article for Frame Magazine, and to be interviewed for pieces on dyscalculia in BBC News, BBC Sussex and the i Paper. He has ambitions to write a book on dyscalculia. Peter works as Assistant Director at the British Institute at Ankara, is author of an academic book published by Bloomsbury and holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from University of Edinburgh.

About Cat Eadle

Cat Eadle is the co-founder of The Dyscalculia Network C.I.C and co-author, along with Prof. Steve Chinn, of the innovative 'Succeed with Dyscalculia' series of books. With a career spanning 29 years in education, Cat's unwavering dedication for supporting individuals with dyscalculia and maths difficulties underscores her extensive experience. Holding a Bachelor of Education from Oxford University, Cat then became a certified specialist in mathematics learning difficulties in 2003. She initially applied her expertise in school settings but in 2017, she established 'The Little Maths Room,' where she offers tutoring services to learners of all ages with dyscalculia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). Cat is passionately committed to helping learners to build solid mathematical foundations and has a unique ability to nurture confidence and competence in mathematics ensuring learning is both accessible and enjoyable. Cat now spends much of her time co-running and co-developing the Dyscalculia Network including planning Dyscalculia Day and co-organising the Dyscalculia Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Cat provides training sessions for educators and also provides CPD for workplaces and community organisations. She often consults with the Dyscalculia Network’s Adults with Dyscalculia Advisory Board to ensure that the voices and experiences of those with dyscalculia are heard.

Contact The Dyscalculia Network

dyscalculianetwork.com

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

https://x.com/DyscalculiaNet1

Useful Links

Succeed with Dyscalculia – Cat Eadle and Steve Chinn

MDA- Maths and Dyscalculia Assessment- Emerson and Jennings- Jessica Kingsley

Masking Maths: Dyscalculia and Me’ by Peter Cherry, page 43

What is dyscalculia?

BBC article - Dyscalculia: Do Rishi Sunak's maths plans add up for everyone?

BBC article - Parents call for maths learning support

The Conversation - More maths testing could be good for primary schoolchildren – if done in the right way

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