No Ordinary Math Class:

Individualized Education for Teens with NVLD and Asperger’s

In a typical math class, a teacher instructs a large group of students on a specific concept. Some students may be too advanced for the lesson while others may struggle to keep up. Although teachers would like to give each child the attention they need, state mandates put pressure on teachers to push forward with the next lesson even if that means leaving gaps in some students’ knowledge.

At specialized schools for teens with NVLD (also known as NLD or nonverbal learning disability) and Asperger’s Syndrome, such as Talisman Academy in North Carolina, every student can learn math at their own pace even if they’re all in the same classroom.

Prior to starting school, the academic and admissions teams review each student’s records to match them with the right level of math for their needs. For teens with nonverbal learning disorder, who often struggle with visual spatial organization and fine motor skills, math class can be a particular challenge.

Small class sizes allow for an extraordinary level of personalized attention. At Talisman Academy, the math teacher works in close partnership with an assistant, which means that one student can be taking an algebra quiz while another is learning ratios and proportions. Together they are able to ensure that students truly understand what they are learning.

“Ninety percent of the time, this doesn’t look like an ordinary classroom,” said Chasiti Morgan, the math teacher at Talisman Academy’s school for teens with NVLD, Asperger’s, high-functioning autism and related disorders.

Rather than staring at a chalkboard or listening to a teacher lecture, students in Mrs. Morgan’s math class are able to see, hear and touch what they’re learning. Mrs. Morgan uses blocks and other manipulatives to help students learn math in a hands-on way. Integrated into every class are opportunities for social skill development as students are encouraged to work together and resolve conflicts with guidance from their teachers.

In addition to learning the math skills they need to move ahead academically, Talisman students take Consumer Math, where they practice life skills such as paying bills and creating a budget. New concepts are introduced slowly and methodically, and students may partner with their peers for a chance to model and guide one another.

After teaching in both public school and private school settings, Mrs. Morgan chooses to work with teens with nonverbal learning disability and Asperger’s at Talisman Academy because of the ongoing opportunities to work one-on-one with her students and engage them in the learning process.

“Because we work so closely with our students, they don’t fall through the cracks. Classes are challenging but achievable, and students never have to worry about holding up the class if they don’t understand a particular concept,” explained Mrs. Morgan. “At Talisman Academy, there are no limits to how far a student can go.”