April 9, 2021
April 9, 2021
For many children, mathematics can be a challenge (most parents are sure to remember their own frustrations in learning long division or percentages). However, for other students, problems with math comprehension might be more complicated.
If math isn’t coming naturally to your child, even with extra care, it’s possible that they might have a disorder known as dyscalculia. So how do you assess for dyscalculia? How can parents and teachers recognize symptoms? And what can you do if you think your child might have dyscalculia?
Below is our guide to dyscalculia to help you learn more. Keep in mind that even if your child does have this disorder, they can still go on to have a successful academic career, even in math and science! They’ll just require some extra care and support so they can reach their full potential.
What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia isn’t a word that most people have heard of – so what exactly does it mean? Specifically, it is a learning disability related to numbers and mathematics, which makes math harder for those who suffer from this disorder. It’s estimated that 3–7% of children and adults have dyscalculia.
The condition is legally recognized as a disability, which is helpful as it makes it easier for you and your child to access support. Dyscalculia is categorized in the family of learning disorders known as Specific Learning Differences (SpLD), which also includes dyslexia and dyspraxia.
So what are the effects of dyscalculia? Basically, the condition makes it harder to process, understand, and comprehend mathematical concepts. Children with dyscalculia will benefit from extra learning support, personalized tutoring, and aids to make learning easier for them. The sooner it’s diagnosed, the sooner your child can start receiving personal care and education.
6 signs your child might have dyscalculia
What does dyscalculia look like? As a parent, it helps to be familiar with some of the most common signs of dyscalculia. While not every child is likely to have every symptom, if your child is displaying a few of the signs below, you might want to talk to a learning specialist to learn more.
1. Difficulty counting
Numbers are often confusing for students with dyscalculia. They may have trouble recognizing them and might be delayed in learning how to count. These students may also frequently lose their place while trying to count.
Younger children might find it tough to recognize numbers for what they are, with confusion in understanding that the written number ‘5’ is equal to the word ‘five’.
2. Below grade-level math comprehension
If your child is performing below their grade level in math, this could be a sign that they have an associated learning disorder. Your child might be falling behind, or even struggling to understand math concepts that were taught in earlier grades.
3. Using visual aids to count
Do you notice that your child frequently uses visual aids when counting, such as fingers, toys, or household items? They may be using these as a crutch, as it makes it easier for them to count.
While using fingers to count is commonly seen in younger children, if this is something your child hasn’t outgrown, it might be a sign that there’s a problem.
4. Major difficulties in learning new math skills, like addition or multiplication
There are plenty of math skills that children need to learn, starting simple and moving into more complex topics like long division and multiplication. While these concepts are challenging to most students at first, students with dyscalculia are likely to face significant problems when learning these tasks, often becoming upset or frustrated while trying to learn.
This can lead to a lack of interest in school, and frustration or apathy towards learning in general, since they come to feel like certain subjects are impossible for them.
5. Problems in recognizing patterns
Children with dyscalculia often have trouble seeing patterns in numbers and placing things in order. This can make it hard for them to do well on exams and tests, since they aren’t understanding the questions being asked. Graphs and charts can also be challenging for them to process, as the spatial awareness required to understand graphs is often lacking.
You might also notice issues when playing games, such as children unable to count their dice score, or play a game correctly if it involves numbers.
6. Trouble with counting money or making change
Dyscalculia doesn’t just show up in the math classroom – it can also impact daily life, especially when it comes to money. Counting coins and notes or making change can be particularly hard for students with dyscalculia.
If you’ve noticed your child struggling with counting money, know that this can be an indicator of dyscalculia.
What to do is you suspect your child has dyscalculia
If you suspect your child might have a learning disorder related to numbers, what can you do to help them? One thing you can do is have a conversation with your child’s teacher and let them know your concerns. They work with your child each day and will be able to note any specific issues or areas of weakness when it comes to math performance.
Always talk to your pediatrician or family doctor too. They can perform tests to rule out any hearing or vision issues that could be causing issues with numbers.
Finally, if needed, your doctor can recommend a learning specialist who can perform evaluations to officially diagnose dyscalculia. Some children with dyscalculia also have other learning issues, so a comprehensive evaluation will provide a detailed overview of what your child is going through.
Although it’s sure to be concerning to think your child might have a learning disorder, remember that information is power. The more you learn about dyscalculia, the easier it is to help your child thrive in school.
Featured image by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash