Dyscalculia - the cause of trouble with math

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that makes it difficult to complete math tasks. Too late diagnosis or disregard for this condition in a child may adversely affect his adult life. Find out how to recognize and treat dyscalculia in students. the cause of trouble with math.

Dyscalculia - what is it?

Dyscalculia, next to dyslexia and dysgraphia, is a specific learning disorder whose symptoms include great difficulty in performing arithmetic operations. This condition cannot be compared to the standard math problems that many students have. Dyscalculia is genetic and not related to the level of intelligence. The person struggling with it is ensured proper development and upbringing conditions. She does not suffer from any emotional disturbance. He is also motivated to learn, but is still unable to achieve a level of proficiency in mathematics appropriate to his age. Developmental dyscalculia is diagnosed in children who function properly as students. Adult dyscalculia is most often the result of neglect in the treatment of this disorder during childhood.

Dyscalculia - symptoms

Not every person who has difficulty solving math problems has dyscalculia. The diagnosis of this disorder must be supported by specific disorders, which include, but are not limited to:

• Problems with recognizing numbers;
• Difficulties with linking the concept of a number in the real world;
• Distortions of spatial imagination;
• Problems with recognizing geometric figures, as well as their shapes, sizes, proportions, distances, etc .;
• Errors when writing and reading similar looking symbols, numbers or letters;
• Trouble recognizing mathematical symbols - subtraction, addition, multiplication, division;
• Difficulty reading multi-digit numbers;
• Omitting numbers, letters and characters while typing;
• Problems with drawing geometric figures;
• Difficulty arranging things in a logical way;
• Difficulties in understanding the mathematical language even with well-developed reading skills;

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Dyscalculia can also cause difficulties in learning other subjects, especially science - chemistry, physics, or those that require the use of maps or charts - history and geography. A student struggling with this disorder has problems with correct reading of time, reading time, remembering chronological events, orientation in the field or reading dates. Interestingly, this disorder also causes the student to have poor sports coordination due to not understanding and not following the rules of sports or the instructions of the PE teacher. Adults with dyscalculia, on the other hand, may have problems understanding some graphic symbols (e.g. road signs) or using measures when cooking.

Dyscalculia - treatment methods

Dyscalculia cannot be cured 100%, but symptoms can be reduced. The most important thing is, above all, hard work and enrolling the student in correctional and educational classes. There are several ways to fight dyscalculia. Exercises such as numbering pictures, mapping figures from pictures, searching for hidden numbers, puzzles and labyrinths give very good results. It is also worth introducing learning through play in the store, when the child plays the role of a seller and counts, weighs and accepts payments for food products. Above all, a child needs time and patience on the part of parents and teachers.

Dyscalculia and high school diploma

As in the case of dyslexia and dysgraphia, also high school graduates with dyscalculia can count on adapting the exam conditions to their needs. They have the right, for example, to write their work on the computer. It will also be assessed according to specific rules. However, it is necessary to confirm the dyscalculia. A statement about this disorder can be obtained, for example, in a psychological-pedagogical clinic.