Author: American Dyslexia Association

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Symptom Training for Math. Dyscalculia and Other Arithmetic Differences

Dyscalculia training is not tutoring in higher mathematics. It builds foundational numeracy: stable counting, mapping quantities to numerals, secure place value, and mastery of the four operations. This lesson also draws the important line between genetic dyscalculia, which needs the full attention-function-symptom approach, and acquired arithmetic difficulties, which respond to targeted practice. Trainers learn to read error patterns and choose the right levers.

What this lesson is about

Dyscalculia training lives squarely in AFS Symptom Training for arithmetic. We are not tutoring higher mathematics; we build foundational numeracy: stable counting, mapping quantities to numerals, secure place value, and mastery of the four operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide). The Attention (A) and Function/Perception (F) phases prepare focus and sensory processing so the Symptom (S) phase, where arithmetic is actually practiced, can stick.

Within this lens, we distinguish dyscalculia (genetic, sensory-perception differences requiring A+F+S) from acquired/transient arithmetic difficulties (AR) (typically addressed through targeted S-practice once readiness is adequate). Your role as a trainer is to read the error patterns, choose the right AFS levers, and deliver precise, stepwise practice that converts small wins into lasting competence.

If persistent difficulties with arithmetic occur over an extended period, six months or longer, this may indicate dyscalculia or another math learning difficulty. Importantly, math problems are rarely related to a lack of intelligence.

What you will learn in Lesson 15

• What dyscalculia training actually covers: foundational numeracy
• Counting, place value, and the four operations
• Dyscalculia vs. acquired arithmetic difficulties
• Reading math error patterns and choosing the right practice

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Reading Made Easier. Structured Strategies for Dyslexic Children

For many dyslexic children, reading feels like a locked door: decoding each symbol takes so much effort that guessing and skipping become habits. The good news is that accurate reading can be taught. The Easy Reading Method slows the process down just enough for the brain to receive clear, error-free input, and combined with multisensory, structured phonics it takes students from hesitant decoding to confident, meaningful reading.

What this lesson is about

Reading is often described as the gateway to learning, but for many dyslexic children, it feels more like a locked door. While most students gradually build effortless connections between letters and sounds, dyslexic learners must expend far more effort decoding each symbol. This extra work often causes them to guess, skip, or misread words, which then weakens both comprehension and spelling.

Anyone who reads well and who understands what has been read automatically learns the rules of correct spelling. Precise, accurate reading is a prerequisite for writing and learning.

What you will learn in Lesson 14

• Why decoding overloads dyslexic readers
• The Easy Reading Method and the Easy Reading Card
• Combining it with multisensory, structured phonics
• Accuracy first, then fluency and comprehension

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Symptom Training in Language Arts. Letters, Words, and Real-World Use

Symptom training is the moment when preparation becomes performance: after attention and perception have been strengthened, we practice the actual skills of school. Letters, words, spelling, handwriting, reading, and short writing are worked through tight, repeatable cycles: model, guided practice, independent try, quick check. Often one word or one pattern per session, using all channels, so gains are accurate first and then fluent enough to transfer into daily classwork.

What this lesson is about

Symptom training is the “now we do it” phase of the AFS Method: after Attention and Function (perception) prepare the ground, we practice the actual skills, letters, words, spelling, handwriting, reading, and short writing. Using all channels (see–hear–say–write–mean), we target one concrete focus at a time, often one word or one pattern per session, and work it through a tight cycle: model → guided practice → independent try → quick check. Students highlight the tricky bit, tap and say sounds while writing, apply the rule or pattern, and use the word in a sentence; short reading aloud and micro-dictations reinforce accuracy. We track accuracy first, then fluency, so gains stick and transfer to classroom work, with parents easily joining in for brief daily practice.

Trainer note: Offer all six channels and encourage learners to combine them. Over time, each student discovers which mix is most effective, our goal is flexible, independent strategy use.

More on this topic: Dyslexia Spelling: How Word Formulation Teaches a Word Through Image, Sound, and Meaning shows how word image, word sound, and word meaning work together, with 1,612 free words.

What you will learn in Lesson 13

• The practice cycle: model, guided practice, independent try, quick check
• Why one word or one pattern per session works
• Using all learning channels: see, hear, say, write, mean
• Getting gains to transfer into daily classwork

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Training Tools and Resources. Trainer-Parent Toolkit

Weekly sessions set direction and quality, but short, consistent home practice is what consolidates skills. This lesson curates trainer-vetted tools and resources, shows how to hand them to families in a simple, achievable routine of about 20 minutes a day, and explains how each tool maps to the AFS framework. Small daily wins, added up, become measurable progress.

What this lesson is about

Effective dyslexia/dyscalculia support is a team effort. Weekly sessions with a certified trainer set direction and quality; short, consistent home practice consolidates skills and accelerates growth. The trainer’s job is to make home practice simple, specific, and achievable, about 20 minutes daily (and even 5–10 minutes consistently is a solid start).

This lesson curates trainer-vetted tools and resources, shows how to deploy them with families, and explains how each maps to the AFS framework. With the right tools and a clear routine, families can turn small wins into steady, measurable progress.

Effective support is a team effort. Alongside the certified trainer’s weekly sessions (typically once or twice a week), progress accelerates when parents provide short, consistent home practice. The trainer equips parents with clear, parent-friendly instructions for daily practice, so the child reinforces exactly what was targeted in sessions. Parents should aim for about 20 minutes of daily home practice; even 5–10 minutes done consistently is a solid start.

What you will learn in Lesson 12

• Building a simple, achievable 20-minute home routine
• Trainer-vetted tools and resources for families
• How each tool maps to the AFS framework
• Turning small daily wins into measurable progress

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.