Dyscalculia:

Dyscalculia:

Dyscalculia is a a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. this term referring to a wide range of life-long learning disabilities involving math. There is no single form of math disability, and difficulties vary from person to person and affect people differently in school and throughout life.

Individuals with this type of Learning Disability may also have poor comprehension of math symbols, may struggle with memorizing and organizing numbers, have difficulty telling time, or have trouble with counting.

·        Affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.

Signs and Symptoms

·        Shows difficulty understanding concepts of place value, and quantity, number lines, positive and negative value, carrying and borrowing

·        Has difficulty understanding and doing word problems

·        Has difficulty sequencing information or events

·        Exhibits difficulty using steps involved in math operations

·        Shows difficulty understanding fractions

·        Is challenged making change and handling money

·        Displays difficulty recognizing patterns when adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing

·        Has difficulty putting language to math processes

·        Has difficulty understanding concepts related to time such as days, weeks, months, seasons, quarters, etc.

·        Exhibits difficulty organizing problems on the page, keeping numbers lined up, following through on long division problems Good at speaking, reading, and writing, but slow to develop counting and math problem-solving skills

·        Good memory for printed words, but difficulty reading numbers, or recalling numbers in sequence

·        Good with general math concepts, but frustrated when specific computation and organization skills need to be used

·        Trouble with the concept of time-chronically late, difficulty remembering schedules, trouble with approximating how long something will take

·        Poor sense of direction, easily disoriented and easily confused by changes in routine

·        Poor long term memory of concepts-can do math functions one day, but is unable to repeat them the next day

·        Poor mental math ability-trouble estimating grocery costs or counting days until vacation

·        Difficulty playing strategy games like chess, bridge or role-playing video games

·        Difficulty keeping score when playing board and card games.

Strategies                                                             

·        Allow use of fingers and scratch paper

·        Use diagrams and draw math concepts

·        Provide peer assistance

·        Suggest use of graph paper

·        Suggest use of colored pencils to differentiate problems

·        Work with manipulative

·        Draw pictures of word problems

·        Use mnemonic devices to learn steps of a math concept

·        Use rhythm and music to teach math facts and to set steps to a beat

·        Schedule computer time for the student for drill and practice Use graph paper for students who have difficulty organizing ideas on paper.

·        Work on finding different ways to approach math facts; i.e., instead of just memorizing the multiplication tables, explain that 8 x 2 = 16, so if 16 is doubled, 8 x 4 must = 32.

·        Practice estimating as a way to begin solving math problems.

·        Introduce new skills beginning with concrete examples and later moving to more abstract applications.

·        For language difficulties, explain ideas and problems clearly and encourage students to ask questions as they work.Provide a place to work with few distractions and have pencils, erasers and other tools on hand as needed.