Dyscalculia - Learning disability

Dyscalculia

A learning disability known as dyscalculia is also called a math dyslexia. It is very similar to dyslexia since it is a person`s disability to comprehend certain information. Mathematical operations like subtracting, multiplying, or adding can be very challenging for people with dyscalculia. Many people have struggled with mathematics while in school, but some of them think they are just not good at it, not knowing they have dyscalculia.

Causes and Symptoms in Children

Dyscalculia appears as a disability to visualize specific numbers or formulas needed for certain math operations. It can be caused due to some brain injuries or because a child has a fear of mathematics. It can also be caused by trauma triggered by some really bad experiences related to math. Children with dyscalculia often show certain signs as symptoms of it. Such children can have difficulty in keeping scores in games or have a problem while playing some role-playing or strategy video game. Telling the time from a clock that is not digital can also be problem for children with dyscalculia. More symptoms include difficulties in matching numbers, recalling the numbers in sequence, number sense or just reading numbers. These children are usually very slow in learning math skills and counting and parents of such children should always be aware of the situation and try to help their children instead of underestimating them. It can be really frustrating for the parents that their child cannot do the simple math operation like their peers. Children with dyscalculia can withdraw from the subject completely so they need a lot of emotional support and understanding from their parents and family. Even in high school this can still be a problem for some children. Such children find it very difficult to pass the math exam.

Symptoms in Adults

Advanced mathematical calculation can be very challenging for the adults if they haven`t mastered the basic math facts. Some of the symptoms that show dyscalculia in adults are having difficulties in remembering PINs and passwords or adding up the costs of groceries without the help of a calculator. They often forget addresses and dates and are unable to count money. Such people also have an inability to read musical notes and difficulties in noting phone numbers correctly.

Treatment

Child`s learning disabilities should be evaluated by the trained professional or the teacher in school. Once the diagnosis is made, the parents would know how to help their child. It depends on the level of learning disability which method is going to be used in his/her treatment. Parents must be patient with their children and try to make the learning of math as easy as possible since they have a certain tempo of learning.