What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a term used to describe persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a range of problems with mathematics and understanding numbers outside of the classroom. It can occur across all age ranges and abilities.
For some, it might affect how they see numbers, while other young people may find reading symbols difficult, or might find using finance and numbers in everyday life a challenge.
Symptoms of dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties:
Characteristics of people with maths learning difficulties which can also be found in learners with dyscalculia include:
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Difficulties understanding some maths concepts such as fractions and percentages
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Difficulties with sequencing and pattern spotting
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Difficulties with short term, working and long-term memory
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Difficulties remembering how to do a calculation or follow a procedure
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Difficulties with mathematical language and word problems
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Difficulties with automatic retrieval of information such as times tables
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Use strategies such as finger counting
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Slow processing and information retrieval
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Over reliance of rote learning even if they don’t understand what they are doing
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Unable to explain what they are doing
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Maths anxiety
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Learners with dyscalculia can have some or all of the above but also have difficulties with number sense including comparing the values of numbers
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Early identification is vital and the correct intervention at a young age to develop number awareness and flexibility will help build strong foundations for the understanding of the number system
How does dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties affect adults?
We need maths to carry out everyday tasks. It affects:
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The ability to tell the time and plan schedules
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Estimating the reasonableness of prices
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Keeping within a budget
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Measuring and calculating for DIY projects
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Understanding nutritional health information on food packets
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Baking and cooking (measuring, altering recipes and timing)
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Remembering numbers (pins and one-time passcodes)
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Calculating distances for travel and work out journey times
The Dyscalculia Network provides information and support for dyscalculia.