Developmental language disorder (DLD) affects approximately 1 in 14 children in kindergarten. It is a communication disorder that interferes with learning, understanding, and using language. The language difficulties are not explained by other conditions or the lack of exposure to language.
Individuals with DLD demonstrate poorer performance, specifically in tasks that involve greater verbal demands. DLD can affect a child’s speaking, listening, numeracy, reading, and writing. DLD is a risk factor for learning difficulty since problems with basic language skills affect classroom performance. Difficulties with language comprehension can make mathematical word problems challenging.
While DLD primarily affects a person’s ability to understand and use language, dyscalculia primarily affects a person’s ability to understand and work with numbers.
Children with dyscalculia may have difficulties meaningfully applying numbers, symbols and maths, which can significantly affect their everyday learning tasks.
Children with DLD and dyscalculia can be supported.
No child with dyscalculia should ever go unnoticed!
I am Karima Esmail, and I actively engage in raising awareness of dyscalculia, helping SENCOs and teachers reframe their approach to maths challenges. I have 15 years of experience as a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire. More recently, I undertook research at University College London, which inspired the creation of Puffin Maths for the deaf and hard-of-hearing which now dynamo provides access to the National Curriculum using British Sign Language. Puffin Maths was ‘Highly Commended’ at BETT 2022.
I am the co-author of numerous dyscalculia assessments and interventions:
- Multiple award-winning Dynamo Maths which includes a standardised screener with blended intervention.
- Dynamo Post 16 Number Sense Profiler
- Dyscalculia Self Perception Indicators Questionnaire
- Number Memory ( to be released)
- Cognitive subtests (to be released)