Photo: Irina Wilhauk (Shutterstock)
Maybe your child hates math. Maybe you did, too, when you were a kid, or you got so anxious about math tests that you had panic attacks. While math is hard for some children, there are some who do have an actual learning disability in math, called dyscalculia. We will go over the signs of dyscalculia, how to get diagnosed, and what to do if your child has it.
Signs of a math learning disorder
While math is a struggle for many children, and as the curriculum has shifted from “the way we were taught,” to the “new math” common core curriculum, it is often hard for parents to help with math at home. However, some signs of a math learning disorder include:
Counting on fingers after peers have started doing math in their headsBeing unable to remember math facts (like multiplication tables or confusing addition and subtraction)Difficulty applying math concepts to real life (money, amount of food left, etc.) Getting lost oftenTrouble connecting the symbols to the corresponding numbers or reading graphs and chartsDifficulty writing numbers or math symbols correctly or in orderDifficulty sorting objects by type (size, shape, etc.) Inability to tell timeMath avoidance or anxietyIf your child ticks several of these boxes, they may be behind in math, something that is common post-pandemic. However, they may have dyscalculia, a math disorder that makes it difficult for them to process math information.
“Standalone math disabilities are less common than reading, writing, or language-based disabilities, but they do exist,” says Paulette Selman, a school psychologist who frequently tests students for processing disorders and who also works as a special education advocate in Oregon and Washington. It is less studied and diagnosed than dyslexia, its reading equivalent, but researchers are hypothesizing it may be as common as they are learning more about it and how brains process math concepts.
Diagnosis
Dyscalculia is gaining notoriety, but it is still less likely to be identified by your school. You can bring your concerns to your child’s teacher or school counselor, and ask for an evaluation. If they find something, you can go from there.
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You may also need to do a private evaluation with a neuropsychologist. These are often partially covered by insurance but can be expensive. Selman says, “lots of processing issues can impact math—working memory issues, executive functioning, visual-spatial issues, long-term retrieval, etc. So if math is a problem, there is likely an underlying issue that also affects other things, like organization or attention.” She recommends, “If your child is diagnosed or identified with a math or reading processing disorder, let the school know. The school may need to do additional testing to determine the impact of the processing issue, and whether they qualify for special education services.” The bottom line of this is that, if dyscalculia is present, often another diagnosis, like dyslexia or ADHD, is as well.
School supports
Your child may or may not qualify for special education services with a dyscalculia diagnosis. Selman says, “Some kids with processing disorders who are really bright may not qualify for school-based services, if their grades and test scores are fairly unaffected.” If they are struggling in school, they may be eligible for either a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Dyscalculia is in the DSM-5, the document that lists mental health conditions and is often the deciding factor for what qualifies a diagnosis for receiving special education services. If you are unsure if your child needs or qualifies for supports, speak to the school or seek out an advocate in your community, as special education laws do vary by state.
Ways to help at home
To help any child with math at home is often a fraught endeavor, full of pitfalls and traps. However, there are many resources available for parents of children with dyscalculia. Or, you can outsource and hire a private tutor. It is a good idea to find someone with experience and training with dyscalculia and experience working with kids your child’s age.
This article from ADDitude has great list of all kinds of school, home, and work accommodations, but the ones for parents to use at home include pointing out math in the world when you can, playing games that incorporate math, help with homework and time management, and try to be understanding, even if you yourself don’t struggle with math.
