Number Dyslexia: Everything to know about Dyscalculia

Last Updated on October 1, 2022 by Editorial Team

What is Dyscalculia (or Number Dyslexia)?

Dyscalculia is a term used for a wide range of life-long learning disabilities involving maths, mostly numbers, and arithmetic skills. Other names of Dyscalculia are Number Dyslexia, Numerical Dyslexia, and Math Dyslexia. It is generally seen as the mathematical equivalent of dyslexia.

Dyscalculia is often confused with math anxiety, which has a different pathology but shows similar signs.

Difficulty in understanding numbers, manipulating them, performing mathematical calculations, and learning facts in mathematics are some of the common known traits of this disorder.

It is also marked by visual difficulties such as processing and distinguishing visuals, pattern recognition, working memory for numbers and formulas, retrieval of learned facts and procedures, directional confusion, processing speed, and time. Perhaps, there is no single form of math disability, and difficulties vary from person to person.

According to the British Dyslexia Association, Dyscalculia is likely to occur in 3% – 6% of the population. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia relation is independent in nature. Research suggests that 40 to 50 percent of dyslexics show no signs of this number dyslexia. They perform at least as well in maths as other children, with about 10 percent achieving at a higher level. The remaining 50 to 60 percent do have difficulties with maths.

Types of Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia usually presents itself in 5 main types.

  • Verbal dyscalculia:This type of dyscalculia is characterized by a difficulty naming and understanding the mathematical concepts presented verbally. Children with this type of dyscalculia are able to read or write numbers, but have problem  recognizing them when presented verbally.

 

  • Practognostic dyscalculia: Children with Practognostic dyscalculia have a hard time manipulating mathematics equations and  comparing real world measurements.

 

  • Lexical dyscalculia: The part of dyscalculia referring to problems in reading mathematical symbols, including operation signs (+, – ) , numerals and mathematical expressions or equations.

 

  • Graphical dyscalculia: Children with this type of dyscalculia are able to understand the mathematical concepts but do not have the ability to read, write, or use the correct corresponding symbols mathematical expressions or equations.

 

  • Ideognostical dyscalculia: Difficulty in understanding mathematical concepts and relationships. Children with this type of dyscalculia will face problem manipulating equations to solve the question.

 

  • Operational dyscalculia: This type presents itself with a difficulty to complete written or spoken mathematical operations or calculations. Someone with operational dyscalculia will be able to understand the numbers and the relationships between them, but will have trouble manipulating numbers and mathematical symbols in the calculation process.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Dyscalculia is still an under-researched subject, hence, there is no single definite measure of symptoms involved.  Till date observations suggest that symptoms of this math disability vary with age. As the child grows, the perspective towards math also changes. Severity may alter as time goes.

The list can be huge if every other aspect, such as age, country, environment, etc. is taken into account. Refer to our blog post explaining the topic in detail. For now, let us discuss the common signs and symptoms often observed in an individual suffering from number-dyslexia. Keep in mind that not all children may show all symptoms, and kids might occasionally have trouble with math. But children with number dyslexia will struggle a lot more than other kids who are the same age. Their struggles will continue over time, too.

  • Trouble counting. Unable to build a counting strategy in mind, for eg. 3+1 = 4, hence the number after 3 is 4.
  • Poor understanding of the signs +, -, ÷ and x, or may confuse these mathematical symbols.
  • Difficulties in memorizing arithmetic facts. Difficulty in memorizing simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
  • Difficulty with times tables.
  • Difficulty analyzing the connection between roman numerals and numbers.
  • May have trouble even with a calculator due to difficulties in the process of feeding in variables.
  • May reverse or transpose similar-looking numbers for example 96 for 69, or  669 for 966.
  • Difficulty with conceptualizing time and judging the passing of time.
  • Difficulty with everyday tasks like checking change.
  • Difficulty analyzing pattern.
  • Inability to comprehend financial planning or budgeting, sometimes even at a basic level, for example, estimating the cost of the items in a shopping basket or balancing a checkbook.
  • Unable to memorize mathematical concepts, rules, formulae, and sequences.
  • May have a poor sense of direction (i.e., north, south, east, and west), potentially even with a compass.
  • Difficulty analyzing the projectory and unable to do proper measurements.

Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, kids might occasionally have trouble with math. But children with number dyslexia will struggle a lot more than other kids who are the same age.  In that case, a qualified school psychologist or special education worker’s advice is important. Dyscalculia could be a valid reason. Common diagnosis practice involves direct interaction with the child. The evaluator might ask for family history.

What is dyscalculia aka Number dyslexia? Types , causes , symptoms and treatment of dyscalculia

Some of the well-known tests for diagnosis are –

Wechsler Intelligence Scale Test: The test aims at the mental perception of a child towards math. The ability to solve math problems in the head is tested.

Brian Butterworth’s Screener Test

Woodcock-Johnson IV Calculation Test: How efficiently the child can solve mathematical operations such as addition, BODMAS rule application, etc. are tested.

WIAT-III Math Problem Solving Test: Arithmetic skills, quantitative understanding, forming relation strategy, and ability to break the word problem is tested via. WIAT-III test.

Causes of Dyscalculia

There is no fixed consensus on what causes the dyscalculia, but neuroimaging investigations conducted by researchers reveal that Dyscalculia occurs due to a congenital condition, meaning that genetic factor is involved. Other than that the environment around also plays a role. However, cause for one individual may not be the same as for another, and in many cases, it may not be obvious.

Genetic causes include known genetic disorders such as Turner’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Velocardiofacial syndrome, Williams syndrome. In addition, studies suggest that there are genes present in the general population which increase the risk of dyscalculia. Further, Any injury to the brain may develop into ‘acquired dyscalculia.’

Children’s mental mathematical exercise during the primary school years generally involves translating real objects into numerical concepts, such as the tower of boxes to teach addition and multiplication. This manipulation of numbers with real objects is the building block of our strong visual memory. If left abandoned, could really hinder our pace in concept visualization and hence, could result in Number Dyslexia.

Dyscalculia examples

How exactly does dyscalculia impact people? Let’s try to understand it with the help of a few examples. These examples can demonstrate the challenges people with dyscalculia face in their lives on a daily basis.

  1. Difficulty in counting and diminished memory of numbers: You give as much practice as you can and the child does not show any improvement in grasping ability. The children with dyscalculia have poor working memory related to numbers. For example, they may not come up with correct answers to problems like dodging numbers, adding by 5s, 3s, 10s, etc. Also, they may give different answers to numeric problems like ‘12+5 equal to what’, every time they try to solve it.
  2. Difficulty in understanding math symbols: The dyscalculic students are not comfortable with solving numerical problems lexically, that is, by carrying out operations using operational signs. They may count on fingers, or use manipulatives to get an idea of addition or subtraction but may not show fluency with mathematical signs like division, ratio, percentage, and other elementary ones.
  3. Poor pattern intelligence or nil knowledge of number sequencing: Dyscalculics find it hard to identify a pattern or sequence in a series of numbers provided. Inability to understand the logic behind why 8 is next number to a series 2, 4 and 6 is one of the examples of poor pattern or sequencing ability.
  4. Measurement hassles: Dyscalculics cannot keep up with the concepts of time and space. They may stumble upon stairs due to inability to judge height, or may drop catches due to the inability to gauge speed with which the ball is coming to them. Also, they find it difficult to remember units of measurement.
  5. Difficulty in following the sequence of operations involved in solving a mathematical problem: Inability to follow and remember the order of operations is another example that demonstrates Dyscalculia-related issues.

All these examples arise from the problems in memory conditions. According to a thesis[1], these issues arise due to shortcomings in semantic memory, procedural memory, and visuospatial memory. The different neural composition or weaknesses in the number-processing part of the brain translate into a student’s discomfort with numbers.

Treatment

The first and most important of the successful treatment of Dyscalculia is early diagnosis. The earlier the problem is identified, the earlier the child will adapt to a new learning process and will be able to avoid other co-occurring issues.

By treatment, we meant the exercises to improve the mental health of the child instead of generic medicines. There are no medications for dyscalculia.

A big part of the plan could only be achieved with supportive teaching. Teachers must understand the pace and level of the child. Teachers could involve math-based learning tasks/games in their schedule.

Special care could go a long way in improving the mental health of the child. Extra time may be given other than class hours to enhance math skills.

If teaching complex equations, it would be more convenient for the child if step-by-step instructions are provided by the teacher to tackle the problem.

Children must be taught a sense of how numbers and equations apply to our daily life. Teach them how many apples are bought? How many cars are parked? How many spoons of sugar is required to make this tea?

References

[1] Cornue, Julia W. 2018. Exploring Dyscalculia and Its Effects on Math Students. Master’s thesis, Harvard Extension School.

Leave a Comment