Assessing for Dyscalculia using the APC criteria (SASC approved)

SASC guidance clearly states that if the assessors’ level 7 qualification is only in dyslexia then they should do a top up course equivalent to 60 credits unless they have extensive knowledge and experience in understanding the cognitive processing that underpins dyscalculia.

In line with these recommendations, the BDA is offering assessors the opportunity to have their knowledge and experience validated through APEL leading to an AMBDA Dyscalculia.

The course is based on the criteria used by APC-reviewers of reports submitted to support an application for APC, and if you are submitting a report for AMBDA Dyscalculia via the BDA APEL route.

All 15 core APC criteria will be covered in this course, and there will be an emphasis how to approach the core criteria when writing a dyscalculia-specific assessment. We will cover how cognitive processing (domain-general areas) and domain-specific areas (number sense) feature in a dyscalculia report and what the core components of a dyscalculia assessment are. Following this we will discuss mapping the findings to the definition of dyscalculia (from BDA/ P. Jarrett/ SASC 2019) and how to write about the impact of dyscalculia on the individual. Finally, we will cover some useful recommendations that can be provided within your reports.

This course will fully support you in creating valuable and practical reports of dyscalculia assessments that you carry out, and extend your understanding of what is expected in an AMBDA Dyscalculia submission.

Learning objectives

To be able to write reports for the diagnosis of dyscalculia for APC or AMBDA dyscalculia