What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand number-based information and math. People who have dyscalculia struggle with numbers and math because their brains don’t process math-related concepts like the brains of people without this disorder. However, their struggles don’t mean they’re less intelligent or less capable than people who don’t have dyscalculia.
The symptoms of this disorder usually appear in childhood, especially when children learn how to do basic math. However, many adults have dyscalculia and don’t know it. People who have dyscalculia often face mental health issues when they have to do math, such as anxiety, depression and other difficult feelings.
There’s also a form of dyscalculia that appears later in life. This form, acquired dyscalculia, can happen at any age. This usually happens for other reasons like a medical condition (see more about this under the Causes and Symptoms section below).
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What is the difference between dyslexia and dyscalculia?
Dyslexia and dyscalculia are both learning disorders, but they have key differences. In the most general terms, these two break down as follows:
- Dyscalculia: This learning disorder affects a person’s ability to do math.
- Dyslexia: This learning disorder affects a person’s ability to read.
While they’re different, the two conditions fall under the same diagnosis, “Specific learning disorder,” in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It’s also possible for people to have both dyscalculia and dyslexia.
Who does dyscalculia affect?
Dyscalculia can happen to anyone, but it’s common for it first to draw attention when children are in their first few years of elementary school (between ages 6 and 9).
How common is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is uncommon but widespread. Experts estimate it affects between 3% and 7% of people worldwide.
How does dyscalculia affect my brain?
People who have dyscalculia are neurodivergent. Neurodiversity is a term that describes how no two people have the same brain, and everyone’s brain forms and develops in a completely unique way. For people with dyscalculia, that means their brain works differently from the brain of someone who doesn’t have disorders or conditions that affect how their brain works.
Solving a math problem like “2+2=?” might seem simple, but it takes several different skills — and the areas of the brain that manage them — working together to do it. Some of those include:
- Visual processing: Your eyes see the entirety of the math problem and send the components back to your brain for processing.
- Short-term memory: You use your short-term memory to hold onto the specifics of the math problem as you work on it. For example, the number amounts, the symbols and the order in which they appear.
- Language: You use this part of your brain to translate the symbols in the math problem into what those symbols mean. That’s how you know what the plus sign, equal sign and question mark mean in this context.
- Long-term memory: You access this kind of memory to remember the process of how to solve a math problem. In this case, your brain identifies that this is an addition problem based on the plus sign and the equals sign.
- Understanding of quantities and amounts: Your brain translates the symbol “2” into the understanding that it represents a specific amount or quantity. Children usually learn this principle by giving them examples like fruits or animals.
- Calculation: This process unites all of the above, helping you solve that 2+2=4.
For a neurotypical person, the above processes all work as expected. Depending on how severe their case is, people with dyscalculia may struggle with certain parts of the process.
FAQs
Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to understand number-based information and math. People who have dyscalculia struggle with numbers and math because their brains don't process math-related concepts like the brains of people without this disorder.
What is the main cause of dyscalculia? ›
Here are two possible causes of dyscalculia: Genes and heredity: Dyscalculia tends to run in families. Research shows that genetics may also play a part in problems with math. Brain development: Brain imaging studies have shown some differences between people with and without dyscalculia.
What is dyscalculia answers? ›
Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability with an impairment in mathematics, which can affect calculations, problem solving, or both. It impacts all sorts of numerical tasks and it is inborn, meaning you are born with it.
What are the symptoms of dyscalculia? ›
What to look for
- Have difficulty recognizing numbers.
- Be delayed in learning to count.
- Struggle to connect numerical symbols (5) with their corresponding words (five)
- Have difficulty recognizing patterns and placing things in order.
- Lose track when counting.
- Need to use visual aids — like fingers — to help count.
There are many ways to help kids with dyscalculia build math skills. Kids with dyscalculia can benefit from specialized instruction, especially in grade school. There are no medications that treat dyscalculia, but medication could help kids deal with co-occurring issues like ADHD or anxiety.
What part of the brain is damaged in dyscalculia? ›
DD has been associated with abnormal development and structural abnormalities of the parietal areas, especially along the intraparietal sulcus (see Butterworth, 2018 for a review).
What do people with dyscalculia struggle with? ›
What is Dyscalculia? Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.
Can dyscalculia be caused by trauma? ›
A Specific Learning Disorder in Math is not caused by environmental factors like poor teaching, bad instructional materials, emotional trauma, or social forces that justify poor math achievement (girls are bad at math, I'm not a math brain). Causes of Dyscalculia.
Is dyscalculia a form of ADHD? ›
People sometimes call it math dyslexia, but this can be confusing because dyscalculia is a different condition. It can be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- up to 60% of people who have ADHD also have a learning disorder.
What is the neurological basis of dyscalculia? ›
According to studies the cause of dyscalculia is located in the parietal lobe and more specifically in the intraparietal sulcus in the two hemispheres of the brain.
1. Difficulties understanding graphs and charts 2. Persistent inability to memorize math facts: they cannot seem to recall number facts from memory (e.g., number bonds, timetables,) 3. Difficulties solving maths problems using alternative methods (e.g., 56 + 19 = (56+20)-1) 4.
What are 3 characteristics of dyscalculia? ›
Signs and symptoms of dyscalculia include difficulty with counting, recognizing patterns, recognizing numbers, telling time, making change with money. Challenges with word problems, arithmetic, and telling left from right are also common.
What is dyscalculia linked to? ›
Dyscalculia is a math learning disability that impairs an individual's ability to learn number-related concepts, perform accurate math calculations, reason and problem solve, and perform other basic math skills. Dyscalculia is sometimes called “number dyslexia” or “math dyslexia.”
What makes dyscalculia worse? ›
Dyscalculia is sometimes called “math anxiety,” though the nickname isn't quite accurate. Someone can feel persistently anxious at the thought of doing math but not have dyscalculia; on the other hand, for some individuals with diagnosable dyscalculia, anxiety may worsen the difficulties they experience.
Does Bill Gates have dyscalculia? ›
difficulty in mathematics. This learning problem runs in families. It is not related to IQ and in fact Bill Gates has dyscalculia. The diagnosis of isolated dyscalculia is suspected when a child is having significant difficulty in acquiring math skills, yet is performing at grade level or higher in all other areas.
What is the best intervention for dyscalculia? ›
Use Visual Aids
One strategy that can make mathematics easier for students with dyscalculia to understand is visual aids. Visuals can make a big difference for students who find it challenging to understand what some math concepts are accomplishing.
What are people with dyscalculia good at? ›
Skills and strengths
Innovative problem solving and trouble shooting; Creative, intuitive and lateral thinking; Stronger in the areas of art, music, design, architecture and engineering; Seeing the bigger picture – strategic thinking and holistic approach.
What are the two types of dyscalculia? ›
Verbal dyscalculia: the child has difficulty counting, memorizing and calculating. Dyscalculia in reading and writing Arabic numerals : the child has difficulty with the numerals themselves, both in writing and in reading. Number sense dyscalculia: the child does not understand the concept of number.
