What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.
If your child struggles in math and cannot seem to improve, even with further instruction, dyscalculia might be to blame – especially if your child is excelling in other subjects.
Young children might start showing signs when they have difficulty counting or recognizing basic patterns. As kids get older, you might see them having trouble remembering numbers, reading a clock or making change.
Signs of dyscalculia:
- Difficulty processing numbers and quantities
- Unable to recognize a quantity without counting (for instance, on dice)
- Trouble recalling basic math facts
- Difficulty linking numbers and symbols to amounts
- Challenges with mental math and problem solving
- Difficulty working with money
- Difficulty estimating time
- Trouble with visual and spatial orientation
- Trouble with directions (right and left)
- Difficulty recognizing patterns and sequencing numbers
Do you think your child might have dyscalculia?
These struggles with math often lead to emotional symptoms, as well. For instance, a child with dyscalculia may feel anxious or even panicked when faced with a math problem. They may start to fear math, or fear going to school in general. This can cause agitation or anger, and even physical symptoms of anxiety like stomachache or sweating.
It is important to obtain a diagnosis for your child, so they can start receiving early intervention and specialized support to overcome the challenges.
Dyscalculia often co-occurs with other learning disabilities and ADHD.