Children with special needs can still succeed in math with highly skilled 1:1 instruction

72%

of learners on Grokkoli have special needs

43%

are dealing with 2 or more learning differences

Vast Majority

are learning 3-4x faster than regular schooling

Our daughter has multiple issues going on with her at the same time, including an intellectual impairment which makes learning extremely difficult. She has struggled for years with math, and we are seeing great results so far with Grokkoli!

Rosalee

Mother of one in San Diego, CA

I have been using this program called Grokkoli and it has helped me move faster through Math. I like that it says it doesn't matter if you get the answer wrong. If you do get the answer wrong, it will help you to figure out the correct answer.

Charlotte

Special-needs learner in New York, NY

Grokkoli is so user friendly, not only for the parents, but for the kids as well. My daughter is special needs, and still is able to follow along and benefit more so than from other apps we have used.

Joel

Father of one in San Diego, CA

Special needs learner catches up 1.5 grade-levels in under 4 months

Meet Autumn, an 11-year-old learner facing multiple learning challenges, including cognitive impairment, ADHD, level-2 autism, and bipolar disorder. Starting Grokkoli on Oct 19th, 2023, she was assessed at 15% through the grade 2 curriculum, struggling even with... see more

Dyscalculic learner catches up 1.5 grade-levels in just 5 months

Meet Siena, a 12-year-old learner grappling with dyscalculia, and ADHD. With early signs of difficulty in counting and skip counting, Siena's struggles intensified through elementary school, leading to anxiety and aversion to math-related activities. After various school... see more

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a complex learning disability that affects an individual's ability to understand and perform mathematical operations. Superficially, it is appear to be similar to dyslexia, but specifically impacts math skills. It can range in severity, with some learners struggling with basic math concepts and others having difficulty with more complex calculations. Dyscalculia affects 5-7% of the population.

Symptoms of dyscalculia may include difficulty with:

Counting and understanding numbers
Understanding and using mathematical symbols and operations (such as +, -, ×, ÷)
Estimating and measuring quantities
Grasping math concepts, such as place value and fractions
Solving math problems, even when given step-by-step instructions
Understanding and using mathematical language in everyday situations

How Grokkoli can help

Breaks questions down into bite-sized steps
Recasts questions in a wide variety of visual formats
Automatically pinpoints the source of a learner’s difficulties
Provides multisensory instruction
Practices basic cognitive skills as needed
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI that won't overwhelm learners

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects an individual's ability to read, write, and spell. It is a common learning disability that affects about 10% of the population. When it comes to learning math, kids with dyslexia may have trouble reading math-question, particularly word-problems.

Symptoms of dyslexia may include difficulty with:

Recognizing and decoding words
Comprehending what they read
Spelling and writing

How Grokkoli can help

Provides multisensory instruction
Recasts questions in a wide variety of visual formats
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI that won't overwhelm learners

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that affects a person's ability to focus, control impulses, and regulate behavior. It is a common disorder that affects both children and adults.

Symptoms of ADHD may include difficulty with:

Paying attention
Staying organized
Completing tasks

How Grokkoli can help

Provides multisensory instruction
Recasts questions in a wide variety of visual formats
Prompts learners to take frequent breaks
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI that won't overwhelm learners

Level-2 Autism

Level-2 autism is a complex neurological condition that falls within the broader autism spectrum. Children with level-2 autism often find social interactions challenging and overwhelming, may prefer engaging in repetitive behaviors they can perform on their own, and typically require additional support to help them achieve academically.

Children with Level-2 Autism may experience difficulty with:

Certain specific aspects of symbolic/abstract math (which may be concentrated on certain specific concepts, such as place-value in number-sense, and vary substantially from one child to another)
Forming connections across different math-concepts that others might assume to be self-evident
Maintaining focus if not interested in something

* It's worth noting that children with level-2 autism that develop an intense interest in math will often excel at it and significantly outperform their peers.

How Grokkoli can help

Recasts questions in a wide variety of visual formats, providing concrete anchors for the abstract symbols & concepts being presented
When Grokkoli breaks questions, problems, and concepts down into their sub-components, it preserves as much contextual information as possible (the specific numbers involved, the type of shapes being shown, their colors, etc) to create as much concrete continuity as possible
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI that won't overwhelm learners

Math Anxiety

Math anxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings of fear, tension, and apprehension when confronted with mathematical tasks or concepts. It can significantly hinder a person's ability to engage with and perform well in mathematical activities, even if they possess the necessary skills.

Symptoms of Math Anxiety may include:

Nervousness or unease during math-related tasks
Fear of making mistakes or being judged for mathematical abilities
Avoidance of math-related activities or discussions
Negative self-talk and self-doubt in mathematical situations
Physical symptoms, such as sweating or an increased heart rate when tackling math problems

How Grokkoli can help

Math anxiety is not limited to any particular skill level and can impact learners of all ages. Our system is designed to be supportive and encouraging to help alleviate math anxiety.
By breaking questions down into bite-sized steps, and recasting questions in a wide variety of visual formats (where symbolic math bay be a stressor), our system helps build back confidence, reduce anxiety, and foster a positive attitude towards math
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI to avoid overwhelming learners

Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is a broad term encompassing various conditions that affect cognitive functions, including memory, attention, problem-solving, and overall intellectual abilities. Individuals with cognitive impairment may face challenges in processing information and learning new concepts, making mathematics a particularly demanding subject. It can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of Cognitive Impairment may include difficulty with:

Retaining and recalling information
Concentrating on complex tasks
Grasping abstract mathematical concepts
Applying problem-solving strategies
Adapting to changes in mathematical procedures
Organizing and sequencing steps in mathematical processes

How Grokkoli can help

Cognitive impairment can manifest in various forms and degrees, impacting each individual uniquely. As our math tutoring system is designed to adapt to different learning styles and paces, it can provide valuable support to learners with cognitive impairment by offering personalized assistance tailored to their specific needs.
Breaks questions down into bite-sized steps
Recasts questions in a wide variety of visual formats
Automatically pinpoints the source of a learner's difficulties
Provides multisensory instruction
Practices basic cognitive skills as needed
Presents 1 question at a time in a simple, clutter-free UI that won't overwhelm learners

Give your child the support they deserve

See Learning Plans

Frequently Asked Questions about Dyscalculia

1. What causes dyscalculia?

The exact cause of dyscalculia is not fully understood. Research suggests that dyscalculia may be caused by a combination of factors, including brain development and structure. Dyscalculia may also be associated with other learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

There is also evidence that dyscalculia may be related to the way the brain processes and stores mathematical information. Some individuals with dyscalculia may have difficulty perceiving and processing numerical information, making it difficult for them to understand and perform mathematical operations.

However, it’s important to remember that dyscalculia is NOT a reflection of an individual's intelligence or potential. With proper support and accommodations, individuals with dyscalculia can learn and succeed in math, just like their peers. Nor is dyscalculia caused by a lack of effort or motivation. Individuals with dyscalculia may struggle with math despite putting in a lot of effort and attempting to learn in the same way as their peers. This is why it is important to provide appropriate support and accommodations to help individuals with dyscalculia succeed in math.
2. What is needed for kids with dyscalculia to succeed in math?
With the right support and accommodations, individuals with dyscalculia can learn and succeed in math. This may include extra time on tests, the use of manipulatives or other visual aids, and working with a tutor or teacher to break down math concepts into smaller, more manageable steps.

Research has shown that visual processing skills are important for math learning and can be particularly helpful for individuals with dyscalculia.

Visual processing involves the ability to interpret and understand visual information, such as shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships. These skills are important for understanding and solving math problems, as math often involves visual representations of concepts such as fractions and geometry.

Some strategies for improving visual processing skills in individuals with dyscalculia may include:
- Using visual aids and manipulatives, such as number lines, base-ten blocks, and fraction circles, to help students understand math concepts and solve problems
- Encouraging students to draw diagrams or create visual representations of math concepts to help them better understand and remember the material
- Using computer-based programs or apps that provide visual and interactive math activities to help students learn and practice math skills
However, it's worth noting that working on visual processing skills alone is not a complete solution for dyscalculia. Dyscalculia is a complex learning disability that often requires a variety of strategies and accommodations to address the specific challenges faced by an individual student. This almost always includes working with a skilled tutor or teacher that is very patient and willing to circle back to and repeat skill until they are mastered.
3. How is it that someone learning something like division can still have trouble recognizing quantities or number-symbols?

When we see a question like 5 + 3, most of us instantly recognize the number-symbol “5”, and have an immediate sense of the quantity that symbol represents. We immediately recognize the “+” symbol and know that it represents addition, where we combine two quantities into one, which can be represented with a number symbol of its own. All of this is automatic for us, in the same way that we just “see” the color blue without needing to consciously think about it.

But being able to quickly decode even the simplest of math questions requires a substantial number of cognitive abilities we take for granted. For some learners, the “5” in that question will not be immediately distinguishable from similar symbols they’ve come across (such as “S” or “6”), requiring mental effort to determine exactly what symbol they are seeing. And other learners may only have a vague idea of the kind of quantity represented by the number-symbol “5”. These learners must spend additional time and mental effort on decoding the math questions presented to them. This is time and effort that is no longer available to calculate the answer, or grasp a new concept being taught.
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