by Kelly Morris

Created on: October 04, 2008

Dyscalculia is learning disability that affects a person's ability to perform math skills. It causes difficulty memorizing math facts, organizing numbers and problems on a page, and learning math concepts (such as quantity, place value, and time). It causes difficulty with day to day activities like making change and handling money.

Children are usually diagnosed with dyscalculia shortly after they are introduced to math problems in school. They have difficulty lining up columns of numbers on a page. They are unable to memorize math facts such as multiplication tables. They have trouble understanding word problems and fractions.

Children with dyscalculia often have difficulty with other math-related concepts as well. They may have difficulty learning to tell time and learning the days of the week and the months of the year. They may also have difficulty sequencing information or events.

People with dyscalculia often continue to have these problems into adulthood. That's when they have difficulty with tasks like handling money and balancing a checkbook.

There are several things that can be done to help children with dyscalculia learn and understand math concepts and perform math-related lessons in school. They can be allowed to use their fingers and scratch paper when figuring out problems. The use of manipulatives is also helpful.

Children can use graph paper to help them keep columns of numbers lined up. They can also use colored pencils to help them differentiate between problems.

Drawing word problems and problems involving fractions is helpful.

The use of rhythm and music is useful in teaching math facts. Music is related to math, but for some reason children with dyscalculia do not seem to have difficulty with music.

People with dyscalculia should also be taught calculator skills.

It should be understood that learning disabilities are neurological problems and that they have nothing to do with one's intelligence. Learning disabilities are not the same thing as mental retardation.
People are considered mentally retarded if they have an IQ of 70 or less. However, many people with learning disabilities have above average IQ's.

Some people with dyscalculia have other learning disabilities as well. They may have dyslexia, which is a reading disability, dysgraphia, which is a writing disability, or dyspraxia, which is a disability affecting motor skills. They may also have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

For more information, you can contact:

Learning Disabilities Association of America

4156 Library Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349

(412) 341-1515

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