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4th grade math & daughter with ADD

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I’ve posted here alittle bit a while back and got great help with my oldest daughter who has ADD and takes Concerta. Well lately I’ve noticed she seems to have a lot of problems with math in particular then any other subject. Counting money is her biggest obstacle. She is 9 now and she says she feels stupid compared to everyone else in her class who know how to count real easy. Actually she is one of the top three most intelligent children in her classroom when it comes to the other subjects but math makes her feel stupid she says! She just doesn’t get it! Are there NEW or DIFFERENT ways to help a child with ADD learn math effectively and feel proud of herself at the same time or will it just take her alot longer to learn? BTW: Sense I was here last, my youngest daughter whom is 5 almost 6 was also just recently diagnosed with ADHD and we are thinking of putting her on Concerta as well but I did some research on the net and the school brocures say concerta hasn’t yet been tested on children under 5! Can someone help me. I’ll admit I’m alittle lost with all this ADD and ADHD concerns I have. I’m still a newby trying to learn all I can. Thank you ever so much :)

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/14/2002 - 12:53 AM

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If the child needs manipulatives (like real money/coins) then that’s what you do. Again & again & again & again. And again. (Am I clear?)

My son and I would play the money game when out to dinner and awaiting service (which was frequent with us because I don’t like to cook a lot during the week—rather chat w/my kid.)

I would say count out 47c for me. I taught him to begin with the biggest coin and then see if the next biggest would “fit.” He got to keep some change for his efforts. If he counted correctly, kept all. Needless to say, he loved this game and wished to play everytime. He also learned to count change. First, though, we just practiced on coin values and addition. Those tasks come before this one.

Often times, kids don’t get enough practice in school to master the concept—or they are missing a task that is earlier in the sequence. They might just need more concrete experiences than the “average” kiddo, too. (You have to analyze the error to understand the need.) Sometimes the class moves on before little Joanie or Johnnie have really sunk their teeth into it and they forget.

Once again, I use the words of Sally Smith: “There are no easy answers.” Her book by the name of “No Easy Answers” is a great resource for parents new to the world of LD/ADD.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/14/2002 - 12:55 AM

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When asking for help, you might consider avoiding raising your voice. This post also seems a little demanding. Most folks would avoid responding for these reasons.

Better luck next time.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/25/2002 - 1:25 AM

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I also have a child with ADD who takes Concerta. Although he is good in math, he had a problem with money. I also work with LD students and they have problems with money. I purchase a game called the Allowance Game from a catalog called Young Explorers (www.YoungExplorers.com) a few years ago. Both of my children enjoyed playing the game and helped them counting money. I recently brought it into our classroom and the students love it. It teaches them to count money by earning or losing money. I make them count out the money many different ways. The students love them game and have learned alot. Just keep practicing each chance you get. Set-up a store with items from your home and play store. Good luck.LisaW wrote:
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