Dyslexia North Devon

What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty in mathematics. Like dyslexia, dyscalculia can be caused by a visual perceptual deficit. Dyscalculia refers specifically to the inability to perform operations in maths or arithmetic. It could be described as an extreme difficulty with numbers. Dyscalculia does not have the same stigma surrounding it, but it is very important to recognise it as soon as possible, before it impacts on a child’s self esteem. Just as there is no single set of signs that characterise all dyslexics, there is no one cause of dyscalculia.

What Causes Dyscalculia?

We still do not know very much about this condition, but it is thought around 3% of the population may have it. Around 60% of dyslexics have difficulties with dyscalculia. A lot of research is now taking place, and it is hoped that over the next few years, we will begin to understand this a little more. It is only in the last couple of years that a screening test for dyscalculia was developed.

Students may have difficulties with the simplest of numerical tasks, calculations and learning number facts such as multiplication tables. They confuse larger numbers with smaller ones and have problems with simple counting. They often start answering a question and then divide instead of adding or multiply instead of taking away – literally forgetting what they are being asked to do.

These factors are often exacerbated by: poor processing, sequencing skills and poor-short-term memory problems. They are usually good at answering verbally but cannot tell you how they got the answer.

How Can I Help a Student with Dyscalculia?

You can help a student with dyscalculia by helping to develop a student’s skills with sequencing, space organisation, deduction, directional awareness, timekeeping and strategy. The earlier it’s started the better.
Along with dyslexia, the extent to which you can be affected by dyscalculia varies tremendously in each individual.

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