Dyscalculia: What to Know

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects one’s ability to comprehend and work with numbers. While most children may occasionally struggle with math homework, dyscalculia is characterized by persistent difficulties with numbers and mathematical concepts. It’s like having a different operating system for mathematics in your brain, and it can significantly impact a child’s academic performance, causing low math test scores, despite excelling in other subjects.

Dyscalculia is more common than one might think, affecting up to 7% of elementary school students, making it as prevalent as its more well-known counterpart, dyslexia, which pertains to reading difficulties. However, dyscalculia remains less understood and often gets mistakenly referred to as “math dyslexia,” despite being distinct conditions. It is also closely associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with up to 60% of individuals with ADHD experiencing co-occurring learning disorders. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that dyscalculia can run in families, indicating a genetic component.

Importantly, dyscalculia is not a condition that children naturally outgrow. Its impact extends into adulthood, affecting various aspects of daily life where numbers are involved. These include everyday activities like grocery shopping, managing finances, cooking, and punctuality.

Symptoms of Dyscalculia

Symptoms of dyscalculia can manifest differently in each child, and they may become apparent as early as preschool. Some common symptoms and behaviors include:

1. Counting Challenges: Children with dyscalculia may struggle with counting and often continue to rely on their fingers long after their peers have moved past this stage.

2. Subitizing Difficulties: Subitizing is the ability to quickly recognize and perceive the quantity of objects in a group without the need for counting. Children with dyscalculia may find this skill particularly challenging.

3. Number Sense Issues: Dyscalculic individuals may have a weakened understanding of numbers, impacting their ability to perform basic number comparisons. For example, distinguishing whether 8 is greater than 6 can be challenging.

4. Math Anxiety: Many children with dyscalculia experience anxiety when confronted with math-related tasks, even the mere thought of math homework can lead to panic.

5. Math Skill Set: Dyscalculic school-aged children may struggle with comprehending math word problems, mastering fundamental math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication), linking numbers to their corresponding words, understanding fractions, interpreting graphs and charts, handling money, telling time, and estimating quantities.

6. Problem-Solving Challenges: Children with dyscalculia often find it difficult to hold numbers in their head while working on math problems and may have trouble estimating time or distances.

Even activities that involve numbers and mathematics outside of school can lead to frustration for children with dyscalculia. For example, they may get upset during games that require continuous counting or scorekeeping.

Causes of Dyscalculia

The precise origins of dyscalculia are not yet fully understood, and further research is necessary to uncover its underlying causes. However, several potential factors have been identified, including:

1. Brain Development: Ongoing research employing brain imaging tools has revealed structural differences in the brain’s gray matter and alterations in surface area, thickness, and volume within areas responsible for learning, memory, and decision-making. These differences may play a role in the development of dyscalculia.

2. Genetics: Dyscalculia often runs in families, suggesting a genetic component. Genetic disorders such as Turner’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Velocardiofacial syndrome, and Williams syndrome increase the likelihood of developing dyscalculia.

3. Environmental Factors: Research has shown that dyscalculia might be linked to prenatal exposure to alcohol and premature birth with low birth weight, both of which can be associated with delays in brain development.

4. Brain Injury: Certain types of brain injuries or damage in specific brain regions can lead to difficulties in understanding math problems and numbers, a condition known as acquired dyscalculia.

However, it is important to note that math struggles may sometimes be related to factors other than dyscalculia, such as anxiety, inadequate math instruction, a lack of learning opportunities, depression, dyslexia, or other mental health issues.

Diagnosis of Dyscalculia

If your child exhibits difficulties with numbers, it’s essential to rule out any vision or hearing issues that could affect their learning ability. Once these factors have been excluded, it’s advisable to communicate with your child’s math teacher to identify the specific areas in which they are struggling. Obtaining insight from other teachers regarding potential difficulties in different subjects can provide a broader perspective.

If you suspect your child may have dyscalculia after consulting with their doctor and teachers, it is recommended to arrange an appointment with a learning specialist. These professionals will evaluate your child’s mathematical abilities through testing and discussions. A formal diagnosis of dyscalculia is a pivotal step, as it opens doors to accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is important to be aware that private evaluations can be costly. On the bright side, schools offer free assessments for learning disabilities, and local universities and teaching hospitals may provide free or low-cost evaluations. The Learning Disabilities Association of America is a valuable resource for identifying free or affordable evaluation options in your area.

Testing for Dyscalculia

Testing is the definitive way to ascertain whether your child has dyscalculia. These assessments, often referred to as educational or psychoeducational tests, evaluate four main areas:

1. Computational Skills: Assessing the ability to perform mathematical operations. Younger children may receive addition or subtraction problems, while older children might encounter more advanced operations like multiplication, division, and fractions.

2. Math Fluency: Evaluating the capacity to rapidly recall basic math facts, such as multiplication tables or fractional operations.

3. Mental Computation: Measuring the ability to perform math calculations mentally.

4. Quantitative Reasoning: Assessing the aptitude to comprehend and solve word problems.

An expert will analyze the results of these tests and compile a comprehensive report to guide the development of an effective plan to address your child’s specific needs.

Treatment for Dyscalculia

Professionals specializing in dyscalculia, including learning specialists, educational psychologists, and neuropsychologists, recommend several strategies and interventions to help children overcome their difficulties with mathematics. These include:

1. Specially Designed Teaching Plans: Creating customized learning plans to address the unique needs of children with dyscalculia.

2. Math-Based Learning Games: Employing games and interactive activities to make math learning more engaging and enjoyable.

3. Frequent Math Practice: Encouraging children to practice math skills more often than their peers.

Supporting a Child with Dyscalculia

Parents can play a crucial role in helping their children learn and understand math while alleviating anxiety. Here are some practical strategies:

1. Use of Fingers and Paper: Encourage children to use their fingers and paper when counting, as these tangible aids can enhance comprehension.

2. Provide the Right Tools: Ensure that your child has access to user-friendly calculators and an ample supply of erasers.

3. Graph Paper: The use of graph paper can help maintain neat and organized columns when working with numbers.

4. Incorporate Rhythm and Music: Teach math facts and steps through rhythmic patterns and music, which can make learning more enjoyable and memorable.

5. Math Tutors: Consider enlisting the services of experienced math tutors to provide one-on-one support.

6. Visual Learning: For math word problems, create visual aids or drawings to enhance comprehension.

7. Math Games: Allocate computer time for math games, which can help children practice math skills in a fun and interactive manner.

8. Praise Effort Over Outcomes: Focus on acknowledging your child’s hard work and effort rather than solely on the final results.

9. Open Communication: Discuss your child’s learning disability openly and create a supportive environment where they can express their feelings and concerns.

10. Anxiety Management: Equip your child with strategies to manage math-related anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Additionally, communicating with teachers privately about your child’s condition and educational requirements is essential. Depending on their specific needs, you can request accommodations such as a quiet workspace, the use of a calculator during math classes and tests, extra time for tests, permission to record lectures, and other appropriate adjustments.

Dyscalculia in Adults

Dyscalculia can persist into adulthood, manifesting itself in similar ways as in children, albeit in different settings and responsibilities. For adults, mistakes with numbers or anxiety related to math tasks in the workplace may be more common. However, adults with dyscalculia can seek help as well. Private, low-cost, or free evaluations are available for adults. A formal diagnosis may pave the way for workplace accommodations, making math-related tasks more manageable.

In summary, dyscalculia is a complex learning disability that can significantly impact a child’s academic and daily life. By seeking appropriate assessments, diagnoses, and support, parents and educators can help children with dyscalculia overcome their challenges and thrive academically and beyond.