Toolkit introduced by IIT Madras alumnus-led organisation now used in 50 Chennai schools to aid students with developmental dyscalculia and broader learning needs
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The Madras Dyslexia Association (MDA), founded by IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient D. Chandrasekhar, has developed a remedial toolkit for children with learning difficulties in mathematics. The toolkit, called Count on Me, is currently being used by 50 schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Although created to support students with developmental dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties, the kit has also been found useful as a learning resource for all students.
MDA was founded by D. Chandrasekhar, a first-generation entrepreneur who graduated in 1970 with a B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from IIT Madras. He received the IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2009.
Speaking about the impact of the toolkit, D. Chandrasekhar, President, Madras Dyslexia Association, 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’ toolkit 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?”
He 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 the following components:
Sixty-four graded, colour-coded booklets – Structured progressively, these cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and other mathematical concepts. Each operation is divided by digit complexity (1-digit to 4-digit) and colour-coded into red, yellow, green, and blue. The first three colours focus on teaching, remediation, reinforcement, and fostering independence, while the final blue level assesses fluency and accuracy.
Functional evaluation checklists – A teacher resource that breaks down each maths problem into component skills, helping educators and therapists identify strengths, gaps, and track progress to plan effective remediation.
Manipulatives and instructional booklet with videos – The toolkit includes maths manipulatives that make abstract concepts concrete. The instructional booklet provides images, explanations of each material, QR codes linking to video demonstrations, and teaching suggestions.
Teacher’s e-manual – A digital resource explaining the educational philosophy behind the toolkit, the challenges faced by students with dyscalculia, and strategies for intentional teaching and session planning.