DYSCALCULIA
Here’s an overview of the condition
Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.
Organisations who can help
https://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/ helpline number: 01604 880 927
What are the common traits in children
– Has difficulty learning and recalling basic number facts such as number bonds, e.g. 6 + 4 = 10.
– Still uses fingers to count instead of using more advanced strategies (like mental maths)
– Poor understanding of the signs +, -, xx and x or may confuse these mathematical symbols
– Struggles to recognise that 3 + 5 is the same as 5 + 3 or may not be able to solve 3 + 26 ‒ 26 without calculating
– Has trouble with place value, often putting numbers in the wrong column.
– May not understand maths language or be able to devise a plan to solve a maths problem.
– Finds it difficult to understand maths phrases like greater than and less than
– Has trouble keeping score in sports or games
– Has difficulty working out the total cost of items and can run out of money
– May avoid situations that require understanding numbers, like playing games that involve maths.
https://www.dyslexia.uk.net/specific-learning-difficulties/dyscalculia/the-signs-of-dyscalculia/
What are the common traits in adults
Typical symptoms include:
– difficulty counting backwards
– difficulty remembering ‘basic’ facts
– slow to perform calculations
– weak mental arithmetic skills
– a poor sense of numbers & estimation
– Difficulty in understanding place value
– Addition is often the default operation
– High levels of mathematics anxiety
https://www.dyslexia.uk.net/specific-learning-difficulties/dyscalculia/the-signs-of-dyscalculia/
How is it diagnosed
A psychologist or Specialist teacher/assessor with AMBDA and/or an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)
https://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/testing-for-dyscalculia-further-information.html
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyscalculia/assessment-and-support/how-can-we-get-an-assessment-for-dyscalculia-and-or-maths-learning-difficulties
At what age can it be diagnosed
How can it be managed
There is no medication that treats dyscalculia; however, treating any co-occurring issues such as ADHD or anxiety can be helpful. There are recommendations that can help manage the condition, and educational interventions may be put in place at school or further education. Assistive technology (AT) can also help; there are many AT tools for maths that children can use at school and at home.
These include graphing tools, maths notation tools and graphic organisers for maths. There are also apps that work on basic number concepts.
Whether you know your child has dyscalculia, or you think your child may have dyscalculia, there are ways to help. Professionals both in and out of school can work with your child to build math skills, and there are adjustments that can make it easier for your child to work at the same level as their peers.
It is important for struggling maths learners to have a full evaluation for learning differences so that strategies can be put into place.
There are many ways that you can help your child build maths skills at home, for example, using objects to see quantities and how they change provides a concrete way of understanding how certain maths concepts work.
Technology such as calculators and maths apps can also help to make maths easier to navigate. As there is no cure for dyscalculia, the aim of treatment is to fill in as many gaps as possible and to develop coping mechanisms that can be used throughout life.