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Dyscalculia is a lesser known but a specific learning disability associated with difficulties in
Mathematics. These difficulties normally vary from individual to individual. Reading problems associated
with Dyslexia correspond to mathematical problems associated with Dyscalculia. Individuals who suffer
from Dyscalculia are of normal intelligence.
In Dyscalculia, Dys in Greek means "badly" and Calculia in Latin means "to count" which adds up to
"counting badly".
Recent studies show that Dyscalculia is genetically linked and not as originally thought to occur only in
individuals who had arithmetic disabilities owing to specific regions of the brain being damaged. Today,
some educational specialists label individuals with any sort of mathematical difficulty as having
Dyscalculia, as this learning disability cannot be assessed reliably and has no clear-cut criteria.
Some symptoms of Dyscalculia are:
. Confusion between the multiplication, addition, subtraction and division signs. Difficulty in doing
mathematical calculations mentally like figuring change due back. Unable to balance checkbooks. .
Difficulty in aligning numbers into their proper columns and also may have spatial problems. . Difficulty
in reading the time from analogue clocks.
. Difficulty in following activities, which have sequences such as dance steps, events of the past, rules of
games, difficult in keeping scores during a game. Loosing track of whose turn it is during games like
cards or even board games.
. If there are two numbers, they find it difficult to say which is larger of the two and also they tend to
confuse numbers that look similar, for instance, 8 and 3, 9 and 7.
. Language acquisition like reading, writing, speech and poetic ability is normal or accelerated. Good in
areas of creative arts, geometry and science. Good in logic bad with formulas.
. Difficulty in keeping track of time, therefore, most often end up being late for appointments, problems
with direction that is left from right and north, south, west and east even if compass is available.
. Recollection of names and faces is poor.
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. Lose things easily and seem to be absent minded.
Some causes of Dyscalculia are:
. To be good in mathematics one has to have the ability to be able to visualize numbers and general maths
situations. Weakness in Visual Processing is the most common cause of difficulty in mathematics.
Students with this learning disorder often mix up numbers mentally because they lack what it takes to
visualize numbers and therefore end up in making "stupid mistakes".
. Sometimes owing to lack of self-confidence, previous negative experiences etc they develop a fear for
mathematics therefore leading to Dyscalculia.
. Inability to remember formulas and facts for mathematical calculations are often as a result of having
difficulty in organization of detailed information or difficulty in sequencing.
Other causes are:
. Studies have also indicated that some hereditary or congenital disorders may also be a cause but it is not
known for certain yet.
. Calculations made difficult owing to reduction or disturbed short-term memory.
. It can be due to either of these two factors or a combination of these two factors.