What is Dyscalculia?

You may have heard of dyscalculia as “math dyslexia.” Neuroscientists define dyscalculia as “difficulty in mathematical performance resulting from impairment to those parts of the brain that are involved in mathematical processing, without a concurrent impairment in general mental function.” 

Particularly for students with dyscalculia, learning math can feel like trying to master a foreign language. Sadly, left untreated, dyscalculia creates deficits in math that only grow over time. Offering hope, though, early interventions can help students with dyscalculia achieve high-level success in mathematics.

What are the signs my child might have dyscalculia?

Children with dyscalculia often have difficulty with visualization, working memory, retrieval, and processing speed. But the way that these challenges manifest depends on the child.

At home, you may have noticed some of the common signs of dyscalculia:

  • Confusion with left-right or N-S-E-W directions

  • Getting lost easily or demonstrating poor sense of direction

  • Mixing up letters, numbers, and symbols

  • Losing track while counting or relying on fingers to count

  • Difficulty reading an analog clock

  • Losing track of time

  • Inconsistency with mental math

  • Inability to organize money

  • Anxiety during math tasks

  • Absentmindedness

  • Difficulty remembering how to keep score in a game

  • Poor ability to visualize (like remembering geographical locations on a map)

  • Difficulty with motor sequencing (like remembering the steps in a dance, changing physical directions during sports, or relying on muscle memory)

  • Poor working memory (holding information temporarily, like remembering a phone number while looking for a piece of paper to write it down)

What strategies can help a student manage, remediate, and overcome dyscalculia?

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from dyscalculia, early intervention is essential. At Academics Plus, we want parents to be informed and empowered to advocate for their children.

Below are some of the specific strategies that we often recommend for learners with dyscalculia:

  • Being assessed and discussing math learning history with a learning specialist

  • Participating in a personalized math curriculum

  • Receiving specialized support to learn to think mathematically

  • Learning specific strategies like the base-ten system

  • Using money to learn about place-value and fractions (because money is practical and intuitive)

  • Using money to learn about exchanges, taxes, tips, and discounts

  • Playing games that increase visual-spatial awareness, reasoning, and pattern recognition skills

  • Learning how to read and spell math vocabulary words

  • Practicing penmanship, writing, and tracing

  • Distinguishing between letters, numbers, and symbols

  • Building direction sense through work with maps and memory

  • Working with concrete examples and physical materials

  • Receiving appropriate accommodations (extended time, use of a calculator, etc.)

  • Explaining, drawing, and writing about what is being learned

  • Restoring mathematical confidence

Another critically important strategy to overcome dyscalculia is Brainjogging. Click this link to learn more.

Want to learn more about the brain’s incredible ability to overcome barriers to learning math?

You may enjoy checking out some of the resources below: 

Written by Meg Goddard