Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia
Signs, Symptoms, Effects and Treatment.
Dyscalculia (or math disability) is a specific learning disability that is a naturally occurring difficulty in learning or comprehending simple mathematics. It is similar to dyslexia and includes difficulty in understanding numbers, learning how to manipulate numbers, learning math facts, and a number of other related symptoms (although there is no exact form of the disability). Math disabilities can also occur as the result of some types of brain injury, in which case the proper term is acalculia, to distinguish it from dyscalculia which is of natural, genetic or developmental origin.
Symptoms
Early difficulties with arithmetic are noticed, as well as low scores in math classes and tests
Some of the problems seen include:
- Trouble with reading, writing, and copying numbers
- Problems counting and adding numbers, often making simple mistakes
- Difficulty telling the difference between addition and subtraction
- Problems understanding math symbols and word problems
- Unable to line up numbers properly to add, subtract, or multiply
- Unable to arrange numbers from smallest to largest, or the opposite
- Unable to understand graphs
Treatment
Forms of educational therapy, such as neuro-sensory educational therapy, can be an effective treatment. Dyscalculia is a special need and requires diagnosis and appropriate counselling as well as support away from whole class teaching. However, compared with dyslexia, very little research has focused on dyscalculia and how to overcome it. There is relatively little support available. There are, however, a few very useful publications designed particularly to help teachers: firstly, so that they can recognise dyscalculia, and then so they can adapt their teaching to meet the needs of Dyscalculia children. Parents of children with (suspected) dyscalculia may also find it useful to read these publications.
Also:-
Neurofeedback Training – Neurofeedback training is a type of biofeedback that uses electroencephalography to provide a signal that can be used by a person to receive feedback about brain activity. In the case of someone with Dyscalculia’s brainwaves indicative of focus and attention can be filtered and used in a real time graph or at Games for Life we use this particular brain wave to move around and control animated characters in a computer game. Kind of like taking your brain to the gym you are exercising your attention by being made aware of it and how to control it.
Dyscalculia Specialists Coaching – Coaches work with clients to help clients understand the impact Dyscalculia has had on their lives, coaches can help clients develop “work-round’s” strategies to deal with specific challenges, and determine and use individual strengths. Coaches also help clients get a better grasp of what reasonable expectations are for them as individuals.
