Dyscalculia:
Mathematics Learning Disorders
Dyscalculia or mathematics disorder
is a type of learning disability in which a person has normal language
development but has significantly below average math skills. People
with dyscalculia can have poetic ability and good visual memory
of printed words. They are good in the area of science until a level
requiring higher math skills. Poor math skills can hinder academic
success and can also affect other area of life such as sports and
social activities.
There are two subtypes of mathematics disorders:
- Mathematical Computation Disorder
- Mathematical Reasoning Disorder
Mathematical Computation Disorders affect
an individual's ability to solve math calculations. A person with
dyscalculia may have difficulty completing simple addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division problems. Mathematics problems usually
begin in elementary school and continue through secondary school
and into adulthood.
Signs that may be indicative of mathematics disorders include:
- Writing or printing number
- Counting
- Adding and Subtracting
- Working with mathematical signs such as +,-,x,
and /
- Learning names that include numbers
Mathematical Reasoning Disorder
affects an individual's ability to utilize mathematical reasoning
to solve problems. People with dyscalculia or mathematics disorder
have difficulty with abstract concepts of time and direction. Those
who suffer from a mathematics disorder usually suffer from other
learning disorders as well.
Mathematics disorder or dyscalculia often has a form of visual processing
difficulty associated with it. An individual suffering from a visual
processing difficulty is unable to see the difference between two
similar letters, shapes or objects. A person with dyscalculia may
need special education services to treat this neurological disorder.
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