Dyscalculia
What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a brain-based condition that makes it
hard to make sense of numbers and math concepts.
Some kids with dyscalculia can’t grasp basic number
concepts. They work hard to learn and memorize basic
number facts. They may know what to do in math class
but don’t understand why they’re doing it. In other
words, they miss the logic behind it.
Other kids understand the logic behind the math but
aren’t sure how and when to apply their knowledge to
solving problems.
Dyscalculia goes by many names. Some public schools
refer to it as a “mathematics learning disability.”
Doctors sometimes call it a “mathematics disorder.”
Many kids and parents call it “math dyslexia.”
Your child’s struggle with math can be confusing,
especially if he’s doing well in other subjects. This can
lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. But parents have
the power to change that equation.
There are many tools and strategies that can help with
dyscalculia. The trick is finding the ones that work best
for your child. Dyscalculia is a lifelong condition, but
that doesn’t mean your child can’t be happy and
successful.
Number Sense and Other Difficulties
Dyscalculia can affect many different areas of math
learning and performance. Different kids have different
challenges.
The most common problem is with “number sense.”
This is an intuitive understanding of how numbers
work, and how to compare and estimate quantities on
a number line. Most researchers agree that number
sense is at the core of math learning. If kids don’t
understand the basics about how numbers work,
learning math and using it every day can be very
frustrating.
Studies show that even babies have a basic sense of
numbers.
[1] Dr. Brian Butterworth, a leading researcher
in dyscalculia, compares number sense to being color-
blind. He says some people are born with number
blindness. This makes it hard to tell the difference
between quantities.
[2]
Number blindness is one reason many kids have
trouble connecting numbers to the real world. They
can’t grasp the idea that “five cookies” has the same
number of objects as “five cakes” and “five apples.”
What are the symptoms?
Dyscalculia symptoms include:
Poor understanding of the signs +, -, ÷ and x, or may
confuse these mathematical symbols.
Difficulty with addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division or may find it difficult to understand the
words "plus," "add," "add-together."
Difficulty with times tables.
Poor mental arithmetic skills.
May have trouble even with a calculator due to
difficulties in the process of feeding in variables.
May reverse or transpose numbers for example 63 for
36, or 785 for 875.
Difficulty with conceptualizing time and judging the
passing of time.
Difficulty with everyday tasks like checking change.
Difficulty keeping score during games.
Inability to comprehend financial planning or
budgeting, sometimes even at a basic level, for
example, estimating the cost of the items in a
shopping basket or balancing a checkbook.
Inability to grasp and remember mathematical
concepts, rules, formulae, and sequences.
May have a poor sense of direction (i.e., north,
south, east, and west), potentially even with a
compass.
May have difficulty mentally estimating the
measurement of an object or distance (e.g., whether
something is 10 or 20 feet away).
Extreme cases may lead to a phobia of mathematics
and mathematical devices.
Source:Google
