ABOUT DYSCALCULIA

What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability with an impairment in mathematics, which can affect calculations, problem solving, or both. It impacts all sorts of numerical tasks and it is inborn, meaning you are born with it. Although there is not yet a generally accepted definition of dyscalculia, the DSM-5 mentions difficulties with number sense, memorization of basic math facts, and accurate and fluent calculation. An estimated 4-7% of students have dyscalculia, so a teacher can expect to have one or two students with this per class.

The brain of a person with dyscalculia is wired slightly differently, and mathematical stimulus is processed differently. This can be pictured with functional MRI: when a child or adult with dyscalculia does a math problem, the areas in the brain that are best equipped for numerical tasks are mostly bypassed and other less efficient areas are used instead. This means it can take more time and lead to more mistakes.

Luckily, we also know that the brain can be trained to develop that valuable connection with numbers, sizes, and patterns. Starting this intervention as early as possible is best. Because dyscalculia is not yet widely known, currently many students go undetected for years, losing their self-confidence along the way. 

(From Learning Disabilities Association of America)

​​

​

Common Signs of Dyscalculia

​

Students with dyscalculia will have difficulty with many of these tasks:

• Counting: starting to count later and less accurately than other children their age

• Mentally connecting a number with a size or quantity (number sense)

• Knowing how many dots are on a dice or dominoes without counting

•  Estimating and comparing quantities & numbers

• Counting money or making change

• Memorizing sequences such as the order of daily activities or days of the week 

• Basic math fact memorization and application for addition & subtraction

• Memorizing multiplication tables

• Choosing which operation to use in a math story or word problem

• Holding numbers in their head while solving problems

• Learning to tell time using an analog clock

• Understanding the concepts of fractions, decimals, percents, and how they are all related to each other

• Following the traditional algorithms for solving long division and/or multi-digit multiplication problems

• Calculating tax or tip on a receipt

• Estimating time or distance

Also: 

• Math anxiety is very common

• Students will often need extra time to complete math assignments/tests

​

​

​

​

Testing

If you suspect your student might have dyslexia and/or dyscalculia, we can conduct an educational assessment.  This evaluation can help us determine if dyscalculia is the root cause of their math struggles and how to move forward with the best type of instruction for your student!

Curriculum/Methods

I have experience with a variety of curricula intended for use with students who are struggling with math skills.  I have used and taught other teachers how to use TouchMath, which now has materials for use from Kindergarten through High School. I have experience with Math Their Way and Math-U-See.  I'm currently working on Dsycalculia Tutor Certifications using Orton-Gillingham based methods which can be personalized to each student's needs.