Madras Dyslexia Association (MDA) , founded by an IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, has developed a remedial toolkit for children with learning difficulties in mathematics. Called ‘Count on Me’, this comprehensive and engaging maths toolkit is already being used by 50 schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
While the kit was created to support students with developmental dyscalculia and math learning difficulties, it has also proven to be a powerful learning resource for all students, making mathematics joyful, accessible, and deeply meaningful.
The Madras Dyslexia Association was founded by Mr. D. Chandrasekhar, who belongs to the 1970 batch of B.Tech (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) at IIT Madras and is a first-generation entrepreneur. He was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by IIT Madras in 2009.
Highlighting the impact of this toolkit, Mr. D. Chandrashekar, President, Madras Dyslexia Association (MDA), said, “Whether you are working with a student who finds numbers challenging or one who is curious and eager to explore, the ‘Count on Me’ took kit offers a unique blend of concrete learning tools, visual clarity, and interactive engagement. This toolkit is the result of collaborative development, combining research-based practices, classroom experiences, and a strong commitment to inclusive education. It is designed for every teacher who has ever asked: How can I help this student learn in a way that works for them?”
Mr. D. Chandrashekar added, “The ‘Count on Me’ toolkit is MDA’s response to this question. It is a bridge from confusion to clarity, from anxiety to confidence and from exclusion to inclusion.”
The ‘Count on Me’ toolkit includes:
- Sixty-Four Graded, colour-coded booklets: These are
- Progressively structured, covering core operations—Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division—as well as concepts such as fractions, decimals, and other key mathematical concepts.
- It is aligned with fun and child-friendly visuals to enhance engagement.
- It has been designed for repetition and reinforcement, so key concepts are revisited often for mastery.
Each operation is divided by digit complexity— from 1-digit to 4-digit problems—and further each digit is divided and colour-coded into Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue.
These colour-coded sets increase in complexity, building upon the skills acquired in the previous set. The first three colours focus on teaching, remediation, reinforcement, and fostering independence. The final blue level assesses fluency and accuracy. Once a student successfully completes the blue set, they are ready to move on to the next.
- Functional Evaluation Checklists
A teacher-friendly tool that:
- Breaks down each math problem into its component skills
- Helps educators and therapists identify learning strengths and gaps
- Enables individualised instruction and helps track progress over time
This structure empowers teachers to plan effective remediation, reinforce key concepts, and address individual learning needs with precision.
- Manipulatives and an instructional Booklet with Videos
At the heart of the kit is a thoughtfully curated set of math manipulatives, designed to transform abstract concepts into concrete and engaging experiences.
The accompanying instructional booklet includes:
- Clear images and a detailed breakdown of each material
- A QR code linking to video demonstrations on how to use the material for teaching and remediation
- Suggestions that encourage creative application beyond what’s shown in the videos
These tools are ideal for classrooms, resource rooms, or home learning environments, supporting confident, hands-on instruction.
- Teacher’s e-manual
A digital resource that:
- Explains the educational philosophy behind the toolkit
- Highlights the formal structures of maths and the challenges faced by students with developmental dyscalculia and other learning difficulties
- Offers guidance on effective teaching strategies and intentional session planning
The e-manual serves both as a starting point and a long-term reference, making the toolkit simple to implement and adapt across different learning environments.
Those interested in availing the kit may contact:
- Ms. Latha Vasanth – +91 99403 89751/Ms. Lakshmi Hariharan – +91 98404 88910 0r Email: mdaresourceroom@gmail.com / training.mdachennai@gmail.com
