by Lokemun Magar

Created on: January 27, 2008

Diagnosis of Dyscalculia

- What Dyscalculia is -

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty in Mathematics. A person with Dyscalculia finds it difficult to understand, remember or use Mathematics. He is likely not able to grasp the basic concepts of numbers expressed in abstract terms. It is highly possible that Dyscalculia and Dyslexia are related in some ways as both Dyscalculia and Dyslexia affect people of different intelligences.

The word Dyscalculia is derived from Greek and Latin and means badly (dys-Greek) counting (Calculia-Latin)'.

- What Research Reveals -

Dyscalculia was first defined in patients with brain damage. Research indicated that arithmetic disabilities were specific and related to each part of the brain.

A child who had a high fever which damaged certain parts of his brain may not be able to perform certain tasks involving numbers but may still be able to demonstrate some understanding in some areas of Mathematics.

It was only in recent research that showed the possibilities of the disability being genetically inherited. The implications of research are plentiful and may explain why children from a particular race or culture may fair badly in Mathematics when compared to their peers from other races or culture.

The results in past research into the subject may also imply why children born within the same family are unable to learn Mathematics and that it has nothing to do with family support for learning.

- Facts and Figures

Approximately five percent of the population is affected. This means that in a school of three hundred children, it is likely that fifteen of them will be diagnosed as having extreme difficulties in learning Mathematics. They are likely the ones labeled as having no number sense.

Now, if the children were put into classes of fifteen according to their Mathematical ability, you can imagine the teacher of these fifteen trying all the ways she can to teach them the normal curriculum, just to feel frustrated over and over again. Even if they are given a differentiated curriculum, they will never be able to pass!

However, research shows that a person with Dyscalculia may be weak in arithmetic but not in mathematical abilities and vice versa. In other words, a person diagnosed with Dyscalculia may be able to do some Mathematics related either to Arithmetic which include the four operations of numbers or mathematical abilities which include reasoning and logical thinking.

- Characteristics of A Person with Dyscalculia

A person with Dyscalculia

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