The trick that I teach the shorter humanoids is to subtract 1 from the multiplier of 9, put that number in the 10s column, then complete the nine and put that in the 1s column.
Then we spent some time finding the pairs of numbers that make 9. 1+8. 2+7, 3+…7+2, 8+1. I have to be explicit in this part, or they will shortcut to 3, (use fingers to count to 9) uh 6? They usually learn it in a day or two. To get them to flash to instantly know their times tables takes longer.