Dyscalculia – The Mathematical Disability

Math Disability or Dyscalculia

The term dyscalculia refers to the wide range of learning disabilities involving mathematical calculations. In other words, dyscalculia can be defined as the dysfunction in the reception, comprehension or production of quantitative and spatial information.

There is no single arithmetic difficulty that can be labeled as dyscalculia. There are various disabilities that vary from person to person and affect them differently in school and college during various stages.

Every student suffering from learning mathematics does not suffer from dyscalculia. If some problems persist and cause difficulty and frustration in daily life, then only they can be identified as mathematics anxiety and dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia Impacts

A mathematical disability, dyscalculia poses serious problems to individual development. It hinders visual-spatial relationships and produces a different set of math related problems.

Dyscalculia can disrupt a child’s foundation leading to problems in learning numbers, sorting objects by groups and patterns, comparing and contract as well as matching and recognizing numbers.

Dyscalculia Symptoms

It is not an easy feat to recognize symptoms of dyscalculia. Dyscalculia may be identified by learning disabilities in the basic areas of arithmetic skills like telling time, calculating prices, handling change, measuring and estimating temperature, speed and other such measurements.

Some Of The Signs and Symptoms of Dyscalculia Are:

• Slow counting and math problem solving skills even though good speaking and reading skills
• Difficulty reading or recalling numbers in sequence in spite of good memory for words
• Specific computation problems and organization skills in mathematical problems
• Trouble remembering concept of time, schedules, and calculating how long completion of a task would take
• Poor sense of direction that is further distorted by change in routine
• Inability to remember long term lengthy mathematical concepts and problem recalling them afterwards
• Trouble understanding and playing strategy games like chess, bridge or role playing video games
• Problems in keeping track of scores when playing board or card games

Diagnosing Dyscalculia

Diagnosing dyscalculia becomes difficult as it may be a temporary phase the individual is going through. In children, it is very hard to determine if it is dyscalculia or a temporary period. Even in adults it is not easy, as some people are naturally poor in arithmetic skills.

There are no biological or scientific tests which can help in diagnosing dyscalculia. Professional evaluation is the only method that works. It involves a full range of math related skills and behaviors that reveal how an individual understands and uses numbers and math concepts to solve advanced level and daily life problems. It includes individual’s ability to do basic math like counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.

Predicting appropriate procedures based on intuition like when to add, subtract, multiply, divide or do advanced calculation as well as carry on logical organization of things plays an important role in diagnosing dyscalculia. Measuring time and money with self check and alternate ways to problem solving are some other ways of diagnosis.

Dyscalculia Treatment

Dyscalculia can be treated with proper attention and planned strategies. Dyscalculia treatment includes helping the individuals by repeated reinforcement and specific practice of the idea to make concepts clear and understandable. Other dyscalculia strategies and treatments include:

• Using graph papers for students to make organization of mathematical idea simpler
• Using a different approach to making individual understand a concept i.e. instead of saying 8 x 2 = 16, 8 + 8 is also 16.
• Lots of practice
• Explaining the mathematical concept with help of concrete examples
• Providing a distraction free and noise free environment equipped with all the tools to assist in work

When helping students suffering from dyscalculia, it is important to let them know their strengths and weaknesses. This way they will put in hard work to overcome their problems which will accelerate the treatment process.

Dyscalculia is a serious learning disability which hinders an individual’s power to conceptualize numbers, their relationships and outcomes in various operations and estimates. However, with proper care are and planning, it is possible to treat dyscalculia and lead a normal life.