Tailoring Instructional Strategies to Improve Functional Mathematics Competence in Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.111Keywords:
Functional Mathematics, Instructional Strategies, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Special Education, Digital LearningAbstract
Mathematical ability is significant in independent living; nevertheless, children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) encounter difficulties in learning functional mathematics skills because of cognitive impairment and working memory deficit. The effectiveness of individualized instructional strategies in improving functional mathematics ability in IDD children is investigated in the present study. Employing a quantitative and descriptive research approach, 150 special education teachers responded to a structured questionnaire. The results emphasize the importance of individualized teaching, visual resources, multisensory approach, and application in everyday life in enhancing mathematical competence. And computers as well as assistive tech tools also came up repeatedly as really important things that help make accessibility possible. Contextual factors, more so rural-urban differences, also affected educational practices. Research emphasizes the need for ongoing professional development, increased resource and political intervention to improve teaching methods for children with IDD. Through the provision of evidence -based teaching procedures, teachers can achieve more inclusive teaching and promote mathematical skills in children with IDD.
References
1. Barroso, C., Ganley, C. M., McGraw, A. L., Geer, E. A., Hart, S. A., & Daucourt, M. C. (2021). A meta-analysis of the relation between math anxiety and math achievement. Psychological bulletin, 147(2), 134.
2. Basha, D. (2024). Understanding the learning experiences and attitudes related to the academic performance and success of high school students with disabilities: A phenomenological study.
3. Bouck, E. C., Long, H., & Jakubow, L. (2023). Using technology to enhance learning for students with intellectual disabilities. In Using Technology to Enhance Special Education (pp. 51-70). Emerald Publishing Limited.
4. Bryant, D. P., Bryant, B. R., & Smith, D. D. (2019). Teaching students with special needs in inclusive classrooms. Sage Publications.
5. Cadero-Smith, L. A. (2020). Teacher Professional Development Challenges Faced by Rural Superintendents. International Society for Technology, Education, and Science.
6. Cheng, S. C., & Lai, C. L. (2020). Facilitating learning for students with special needs: a review of technology-supported special education studies. Journal of computers in education, 7(2), 131-153.
7. Chinn, S., & Ashcroft, R. E. (2017). Mathematics for dyslexics and dyscalculics: a teaching handbook. John Wiley & Sons.
8. Correa, A., Glas, M. G., & Opara, J. (2025, January). Females in higher education and leadership: insights from a multi-method approach. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 9, p. 1485395). Frontiers Media SA.
9. Day, C., Gu, Q., & Sammons, P. (2016). The impact of leadership on student outcomes: How successful school leaders use transformational and instructional strategies to make a difference. Educational administration quarterly, 52(2), 221-258.
10. Ezinwa, O. I. (2024). The Role of Teacher-Student Relationships in Classroom Management and Student Engagement. JALINGO JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, 6(1), 234-246.
11. Farlow, D. M. (2024). Effectiveness of peer-assisted learning strategies on oral reading fluency for students with a learning disability (Doctoral dissertation).
12. Forbringer, L., & Weber, W. (2021). RtI in math: Evidence-based interventions. Routledge.
13. Fuchs, L. S., Powell, S. R., & Vaughn, S. (2022). Intensive intervention in mathematics: Methods and strategies. The Guilford Press.
14. Gheyssens, E., Griful-Freixenet, J., & Struyven, K. (2023). Differentiated instruction as an approach to establish effective teaching in inclusive classrooms. In Effective Teaching Around the World: Theoretical, Empirical, Methodological and Practical Insights (pp. 677-689). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
15. Gomez-Najarro, J., Pugach, M. C., & Blanton, L. P. (2023). Preparing the Next Generation of General Education Teachers to Work with Students with Disabilities1. In Handbook of Research on Special Education Teacher Preparation (pp. 58-82). Routledge.
16. Gurganus, S. P. (2021). Math instruction for students with learning difficulties. Routledge.
17. Gurganus, S. P. (2021). Math instruction for students with learning difficulties. Routledge.
18. Hammed, L. A. (2022). Effects of Concrete-Representational-Abstract and Buzz Group Strategies on Pupils’ Academic Performance in Numeracy in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State (Master's thesis, Kwara State University (Nigeria)).
19. Herbert, R. (2023). Field Study: Explicit Instruction and How It Can Help Struggling Learners (Master's thesis, Austin Peay State University).
20. Hertel, S., Bracht, J., Calhoon, M. B., Grünke, M., & Barwasser, A. (2024). Effects of an adapted peer-assisted learning strategies reading programme on reading fluency and reading comprehension of secondary students with or at-risk for reading disabilities. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 1-17.
21. Higgins, A. K., & Maxwell, A. E. (2021). Universal design for learning in the geosciences for access and equity in our classrooms. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 10(1), 69-83.
22. Lawrence, K. C., & Fakuade, O. V. (2021). Parental involvement, learning participation and online learning commitment of adolescent learners during the COVID-19 lockdown. Research in Learning Technology, 29.
23. Lemons, C. J., Powell, S. R., Lane, K. L., & Aceves, T. C. (2022). Handbook of special education research, volume II. Routledge.
24. Long, H. M., & Bouck, E. C. (2023). Calculators and online games: Supporting students with learning disabilities in mathematics. Intervention in School and Clinic, 58(4), 280-286.
25. Mathekga, S. S. (2016). Teachers' perceptions of parental involvement in children's education in rural Limpopo Province schools (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Africa).
26. Mulcahy, C. A., Camacho, K. A., & Fenty, N. S. (2024). A Systematic Review of Research on Technology Use Among Students with High Incidence Disabilities. Exceptionality, 32(3), 149-167.
27. Smith, T. E., Polloway, E. A., Patton, J. R., Dowdy, C. A., & McIntyre, L. J. (2014). Teaching students with special needs in inclusive settings (Vol. 6). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
28. Stingo, J. (2024). The Effects of Differentiated Instruction and Individualized Instruction on Special Education Students (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Cumberlands).
29. Sulistami, P., Pahamzah, J., Baratayaomi, W., & Syafriza, S. (2018). Improving Students’reading Comprehension By Using Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (Pals) In Efl Contexts. International Journal Of Language And Literature, 2(2), 52-59.
30. Tomlinson, C. A. (2017). How to differentiate instruction in academically diverse classrooms. Ascd.
31. Vizzi, A. (2016). Teachers' perceptions of manipulatives during middle school math instruction (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
32. Wilcox, G., MacMaster, F. P., & Makarenko, E. (2022). Cognitive Neuroscience Foundations for School Psychologists: Brain-Behavior Relationships in the Classroom. Routledge.
33. Yılmaz, Z. (2017). Young children’s number sense development: Age related complexity across cases of three children. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 9(4), 891-902.
34. Yu, K. C., Fan, S. C., & Lin, K. Y. (2015). ENHANCING STUDENTS’PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS THROUGH CONTEXT-BASED LEARNING. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13, 1377-1401.
35. Zamiri, M., & Esmaeili, A. (2024). Methods and technologies for supporting knowledge sharing within learning communities: A systematic literature review. Administrative Sciences, 14(1), 17.
36. Zhang, C., Zhao, J., Zhu, Z., Li, Y., Li, K., Wang, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2022). Applications of artificial intelligence in myopia: current and future directions. Frontiers in Medicine, 9, 840498.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License permitting all use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.