Dyscalculia

What is dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability in mathematics; in particular, a difficulty in performing arithmetic operations.

Dyscalculia is characterised by:

	Difficulties understanding the basic mathematical signs (+, -, / and x) or confusing them
	Inconsistent results in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
	Reversing numbers, for example writing 27 as 72 or vice versa
	Difficulties with multiplication tables, mental arithmetic and telling the time
	An inability to follow directions, recall schedules and sequences of past and future events
	Difficulties with abstract concepts of time and direction
	A mistaken recollection of names and trouble remembering faces
	Chronic lateness and trouble keeping track of time
	Difficulties with financial planning and budgeting and an inability to mentally calculate  change or amounts to pay as tips or tax
	Poor long term memory: ie. a student might be able to do a particular sum one day, but draw a blank the next, or get all their class exercises correct and then fail a test or quiz a few days later
	Difficulty in "picturing" things, ie. the location of numbers on the face of a clock, or geographical locations such as countries, states, and streets
	Tendency to get lost or disoriented easily
	Problems keeping up with rapidly changing physical directions such as those required for dancing and aerobics.

Are there different types of dyscalculia?

No, but the extent to which an individual is affected can vary greatly.

What causes dyscalculia?

While there isn't one particular cause, dyscalculia can be caused by a visual perception deficiency.

How does dyscalculia affect a child?

Dyscalculia does not affect a child's emotional, personal or social development, however, it is unfortunately that it is during the youngest and most formative years of a child's life that the symptoms of dyscalculia begin to manifest. Problems with seemingly basic skills such as simple addition, subtraction and telling the time often result in relentless bullying and alienation from other class members or school mates. These emotionally horrific experiences leave scars which remain with the child for the rest of their lives. It is therefore vital to constantly reinforce to the child, teacher and class members that dyscalculia does NOT make an individual any less valuable as a human being, and a disability is NOT something to be ashamed of.

What can be done to help children with dyscalculia?

If dyscalculia is diagnosed at an early stage, a lot can be done to help affected children. To aid memory encoding and storage, the following techniques can be employed. For the information to be stored in the child's long-term memory, approximately four or more repetitions are required:

	Write the information in a sand box while verbalising and mentally picturing it at the same time. The sand box can be an actual sand box outside, or even a cafeteria tray with 2 cups of sand or coarse salt in it.
	"Sky writing" (having the student form the letters in the air with a first and unbent elbow),
	Tracing out letters on the student's skin (eg. inside of the arm or top of the thigh)

To aid memory retrieval, encourage the student to trace on skin or a table top until the process becomes automatic and tracing becomes unnecessary.

Renee Newman of Dyscalculia.org suggests that some helpful things to have at home are:

 

	Place mats featuring a map of the world, the solar system, dinosaur times tables, and a table of the elements. These aids can be used to initiate mealtime conversation and serve as powerful memory reinforcers.
	A computerised speller
	Good dictionary and thesaurus
	World Almanac and Book of Facts
	BLUE overhead projector sheet. The blue filter absorbs red light which slows the brain's magno cells which can result in visual information not being received in its proper sequence.
	Calendar with lots of space to write notes, project plans, goals, directions, assignments, phone numbers, etc.
	Coloured index cards for writing notes
	Lots of coloured highlighters and coloured pens to help organise information by colour
	Full size chalk board or white board and markers. Use these tools to encourage the child to "teach" others what they have learned
	Coloured crates with clear labels to keep homework organised by subject
	Pocket sized tape recorder for recording classes if necessary
	Backpack with different compartments

These techniques married with a safe, nurturing home environment will give children with dyscalculia the self-confidence and courage necessary for them to grow into happy, well adjusted adults who are not afraid to keep their chin up and look the world right in the eye.