Dyscalculia FAQ's for Parents
What is dyscalculia?
DYSCALCULIA IS A SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDER
Just like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other SLD's, dyscalculia is a learning disability that does not improve with extra practice. Dyscalculia affects how we learn and remember math.
Is it just math anxiety?
NO, MATH ANXIETY IS DIFFERENT
Math anxiety is an emotional and chemical response that blocks information. Dyscalculia is a way of thinking about and storing math information. Many dyscalculics develop math anxiety. They both affect math performance, but they are different issues.
Is dyscalculia real?
YES, NEUROLOGISTS HAVE STUDIED IT FOR DECADES
Yes, dyscalculia is real, it has been researched since the 1930's, and it is a lifelong learning disorder. Dyscalculics can be successful in math, especially higher level math, when they have the right support and accommodations.
How can I identify dyscalculia?
YOU CAN'T, BUT AN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST OR NEUROLOGIST CAN
Parents are often the first to suspect a learning disorder. A trained professional should do a complete evaluation that includes aptitude tests, IQ tests, processing speed, and working memory tests to diagnose learning differences.
What does dyscalculia look like?
PERSISTENT, CONSISTENT MATH DIFFICULTIES
Dyscalculics have trouble memorizing basic math facts, remembering and following procedures, and often don't understand time or place value. They learn math, and then forget what they learned, even with extra practice. Subtraction, division, and other topics are extra difficult for these students.
