Misconceptions of Dyscalculia

By Carly Considine

The term neurodiversity covers a range of different diagnoses. Dyscalculia is one of them. Basically, dyscalculia presents itself as follows:

• Have a poor sense of number estimation.

• Weak mental arithmetic skills.

• Poor number recall.

• Difficulty remembering basic facts

• Have difficulty recognizing patterns and placing things in order.

• Lose track when counting.

• Need to use visual aids like fingers to help count.

 The earliest dyscalculia can be diagnosed is when a child starts learning math. It presents in the form of the above signs and is usually assessed and diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician, a child psychologist or any specialist who diagnoses neurodivergent conditions. In Malaysia and United States, practitioners diagnosis are guided by the Diagnostics & Statistics Manual version 5 (DSM-5) whilst in the UK, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is used for diagnosis.

Misconceptions of Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia isn’t very common

Approximately 7 percent of children 5 to 10 years old have dyscalculia. It also occurs equally in both genders. However, there numbers are of documented cases. There is always the possibility of undiagnosed instances or where there are other challenges which make it harder to diagnose dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia is “math dyslexia”

According to the British Dyslexia Association, “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.” Dyslexia is an entirely different diagnosis on its own. Learn more about Dyslexia here.

Children with dyscalculia are “just being lazy”

This is often a misconception with many types of diagnosis, especially when children begin avoiding tasks that they are unable to learn using conventional teaching and learning methods. This is however untrue. Dyscalculia is one of many neurological conditions that affect children and adults.

All children with dyscalculia have the same difficulties with math

Someone  with dyscalculia could have trouble with math at various levels. They often struggle with key concepts like bigger vs. smaller. However, it is an unfair generalisation that they would have the same kinds of difficulties with math. It is different in everyone.

Dyscalculia is another name for math anxiety

Anxiety can be caused by many factors. By saying a child has math anxiety does not discount the fact when they have an actual challenge learning and processing in a conventional way. Anxiety may arise from the child’s inability to complete mathematical tasks using conventional approaches. However, dyscalculia is not an anxiety caused by math but a neurological condition.

Children with dyscalculia can’t learn math

Just because a child cannot learn through conventional methods does not mean they will never learn the skill. Math can be taught to children with dyscalculia using different approaches that help them understand the concept better. Here are 7 things parents can do with their children with dyscalculia: play with Dominos, resist using worksheets, learn the language of math, use manipulatives, create visual models, use accommodations and teach towards understanding. Learn more about these 7 suggestions here.

How Dyscalculia presents for me

Dysclaculia also manifests differently in individuals. I learned about my dyscalculia diagnosis when I was 35. The diagnosis made a lot of sense to why I couldn’t do basic math.  I am also autistic which brings challenges to my dyscalculia as there’s also comprehension difficulties.