RA: Living with Dyscalculia

Jan 5, 20116 min read

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Published: Jan 5, 2011

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Living with Dyscalculia

Difficulty with numbers and in doing arithmetic

This is the second article of a series which aims to raise awareness for learning difficulties and differences, and to raise awareness that will stamp out the ignorance and negative labelling attached to those who live with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and so on.

Dyscalculia

‘A condition that affects the ability to acquire arithmetical skills. Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures. Even if they produce a correct answer or use a correct method, they may do so mechanically and without confidence.’
(Quote taken from British Dyslexia Assocation)

Essentially, dyscalculia effects people the same way as it effects people with dyslexia, except with numbers rather than words.

Between 3% and 6% of the population (United Kingdom) are affected.

People with dyscalculia experience great difficulty with the most basic aspects of numbers and arithmetic

BUT

they only have difficulties with maths but have good or even excellent performance in other areas of learning.

People with dyscalculia very rarely also have dyslexia

Not many people are aware that dyscalculia exists

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When reviewing many situations in my life regarding the schools I've been to, I might say I would have preferred dyslexia over dyscalculia (though of course, I would prefer nobody getting stuck with any such disability) simply because dyslexia is the more recognised.

Experiences with Dyscalculia

...having dyscalculia can be incredibly embarrassing and plays a major part into why it affects people who have it so terribly. The fear of failure and anxiety that comes along when you need to do certain things can be very overwhelming. I hate making myself sound like a victim, but I have cried more times than I'd like to remember because I couldn't figure out something in my math homework, and being too scared to ask somebody because you think it'll take you hours to understand and you'll get them annoyed. That usually stems from bad experiences with teachers who think you're simply being lazy or not paying attention. Even relatively minor things like not being able to instantly understand what time it is on a clock can impair you – especially when it's somebody else that asks you what time it is (you take too long to answer, realise you're taking too long to answer, panic, and probably give the wrong one).

Other names for Dyscalculia

Specific Learning Disability in Mathematics (SLD-Math)
Math Learning Disability (MLD)
Developmental Dyscalculia (DD)
Acalculia
Gerstmann's Syndrome
Math Dyslexia
Math Anxiety
Numerical Impairment
Number Agnosia

Typical Behaviours of someone with Dyscalculia</h2>
Difficulty learning how to tell time.
Difficulty with other time concepts
Difficulty doing even basic math in one’s head.
Difficulty with telling direction and orientation
Difficulty following step-by-step instructions.
Counting
Calculations
Numbers with Zeros
Measures

Not A Myth

There is a smaller framework of support for those who live with dyscalculia because of the limitations in research. However, it does exist and it does effect thousands upon thousands of people.

People who have dyscalculia are not stupid
People with dyscalculia are not mentally unstable.
Dyscalculia is a difference in learning - NOT a disability

Previous Articles in the Raising Awareness series:
Dyslexia - difficulty with words

Next article: Living with ADHD

Thank you

Comments18

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Li-Kiada

Jan 9, 2011

I'm not sure if that's exactly what I have, but my school has me down for "Mathematics Deficiency." I'm in the ninth grade algebra class as a sophmore, and I'm still asking for a lot of help (my teachers planning period and after school), and hardly surviving. I can follow instructions okay, and equation are no problem for me as far as the steps go, but as soon as I have to do something with the numbers I slow down. I still cannot multiply, and have resorted to adding everything together instead. It's so embarrassing to get up and do a problem, because although I have the technique down pat (My brain is always breaking things down) I get tripped up when I have to add 7+2. So if somebody only knows me from math class they assume I'm a dumb ass.
But I flourish in English, And story writing was always my favorite part. I can do poetry and draw, I can act and sing, and I can cook some good food. But to the people in class I'm just a dumb ass who can't add 8+7.