Dyscalculia: Symptoms and Managing Techniques

We all at one time or another have heard the term Dyslexia - a difficulty in reading. But not many have heard the term dyscalculia - a difficulty in calculating numbers.

It was originally identified in patients who suffered specific arithmetic disabilities because of damage to specific regions of the brain. Dyscalculia is linked to a learning disability where the patient has a hard time remembering numbers or transposing them - as in my case.

The word dyscalculia comes from both the Greek and Latin words 'Counting badly". Dys is from the Greek while Calculia comes from the Latin. Because dyscalculia can be detected at a young age steps can be take to ease the problems students will have. The way to do that is by understanding how mathematics is taught to children. Because no two children are alike, a child needs to be tested to see which method works for that child, because ultimately the bottom line is what helps that child learn and succeed. Unfortunately dyscalculia is a lesser learning disorder among the others which makes it harder to detect and treat.

Now here are some symptoms to look for that your child may exhibit.
•
Confusing the signs +,-,x, or ÷.

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May have difficulty with conceptualizing time and judging the
passing of time

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May be chronically late. Difficulty navigating or mentally
"turning" a map to face the current direction rather then the
common North= Top usage.

•
Having particular difficulty mentally estimating the measurements of
an object or distance - whether something is 10 or 20 feet way.

•
Difficulty in activities requiring sequential processing from the
physical (such as dance steps) to the abstract (reading, writing and
signaling things in the right order.)

•
This may cause a serious Phobia of mathematics

Treatment for this

Because there is no "cure" for dyscalculia, there are steps to be taken to manage it. First, identify the strength of the person. Second, using graph paper if you have a difficulty organizing ideas on paper. This helps line words and numbers up.

For me writing out numbers as I say them as well as having another set of eyes look at my work is definitely a plus for me.

sources http://www.dozenlilacs.com/A%20Dozen%20
Lilacs%20In%20A%20Shoebox/Dyscalculia.html