Identifying, Assessing and Supporting Learners with Dyscalculia

Kelly provides up-to-date and accessible information for practitioners supporting children with dyscalculia. A strength of this book is the integration of theory and practice; providing those working with children the knowledge  base they need to support children effectively.  – Dr Helen CurranA comprehensive, engaging and accessible book offering pertinent insights into the nature, identification and assessment of dyscalculia along with practical guidance on effective intervention. Essential reading for any professional who wishes to enhance their knowledge and practice in supporting learners who struggle with mathematics. – Dr Pamela MoffettThis long awaited text books clearly explains the complexity of dyscalculia while providing practical guidance and helpful examples of how to support learners in the classroom.  Well written, accessible and full of practical ideas, it is an essential text book for anyone interested in supporting learners with SpLD.  – Rhiannon Packer

Dr. Kathleen Kelly PhD, MA (SEN), Dip TESL, AMBDA, is an independent consultant and trainer in the field of specific learning difficulties. For many years she was a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University in the Centre for Inclusion and Disability Studies where she was Programme Leader for the MA in Specific Learning Difficulties and the Post Graduate Certificate in Dyscalculia. For several years she has taught courses on specific learning difficulties as part of the initial teacher training programme in addition to postgraduate awards. She has presented papers in this area at a number of international conferences and was part of the MMU research team that evaluated the Department for Education funded project ‘Teaching for neurodiversity’ led and coordinated by the British Dyslexia Association (2017). She has considerable experience in delivering courses to meet the criteria set out by the British Dyslexia Association for Approved Teacher Status (ATS) and is an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA). She was a member of the SASC/BDA working party (2019) which was set up to develop a new definition of dyscalculia and to produce guidance on identification and assessment.

Kathleen has taught a wide range of learners with dyslexia, from children as young as 4 years to 16 years. She has worked in both mainstream and special schools, for language support and learning support services, as a SENCO in a primary school, and as Head of Sixth Form in a special school. She has many years of experience in supporting multilingual children with special educational needs (including specific learning difficulties). Multilingualism and dyslexia is a particular area of interest, and her doctorate was also in this area. She is co-author of Phillips and Kelly (2018) Assessment of Learners with Dyslexic-Type Difficulties, 2nd edition and author of Kelly (2020) Identifying, Assessing and Supporting Learners with Dyscalculia.