3/3/13

What is Dyscalculia

ADD / ADHD
Dyscalculia
By Keath Low, About.com Guide Updated July 25, 2012
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

He alth

Share

Free ADD / ADHD Newsletter! Enter email address Discuss in my forum

Sign Up

Definition: Dyscalculia is a general term used to describe a broad range of math related learning disabilities. These disabilities can vary in severity and type and can arise during most any stage of a child's academic development. Students with dyscalculia have difficulty in learning and comprehending mathematical concepts, remembering math facts, and performing math computations. Students with ADHD tend to have higher rates of math learning disabilities than are found in the general student population. Even those students with ADHD who do not qualify for a math disability may still have a terrible time with math. Visual-spatial difficulties that lead to problems seeing patterns, connections or different parts of a math problem; language processing difficulties that limit math vocabulary and understanding of written or verbal directions or explanations and can make solving word problems very frustrating; inattention which interferes with learning and memorization of facts, results in careless mistakes, and can reduce speed of computational performance; slow retrieval of stored math information and working memory weaknesses that can make holding information in mind while performing math functions tough - all are all often associated with math difficulties. The impact of a math related learning disability can be felt not only in the academic setting, but also as that person ages and moves into the workforce. Dyscalculia can also lead to a lifelong aversion to math. The word dyscalculia literally means "a dysfunction in making calculations." Warning Signs for Dyscalculia The National Center for Learning Disabilities lists several warning signs for dyscalculia: In Young Children Difficulty learning to count Trouble recognizing printed numbers Difficulty tying together the idea of a number (4) and how it exists in the world (4 horses, 4 cars, 4 children) Poor memory for numbers Trouble organizing things in a logical way - putting round objects in one place and square ones in another In School-Age Children Trouble learning math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) Difficulty developing math problem-solving skills Poor long term memory for math functions Not familiar with math vocabulary Difficulty measuring things Avoiding games that require strategy In Teenagers and Adults Difficulty estimating costs like groceries bills Difficulty learning math concepts beyond the basic math facts Poor ability to budget or balance a checkbook Trouble with concepts of time, such as sticking to a schedule or approximating time Trouble with mental math Difficulty finding different approaches to one problem If your child is having difficulties in math and you suspect dyscalculia, be sure to work with your son or daughter's teacher to make sure your child's math needs are being identified and properly addressed. Read more about Learning Disabilities Also Known As: learning disability in math

add.about.com/od/glossaryah/g/Dyscalculia.htm

1/2

3/3/13
Common Misspellings: discalculia, dyscalculie, dyskalkulie, dyskalkulia Top Related Searches National Center For Learning Disabilities Difficulties Math Facts

What is Dyscalculia

Math Computations

Math Vocabulary

Solving Word Problems

Math

add.about.com/od/glossaryah/g/Dyscalculia.htm

2/2