Reference
- Dyscalculia: Credo ReferenceDyscalculia, also known as ‘developmental dyscalculia,’ is a specific and persistent learning disability that affects the development and performance of arithmetic skills (Kucian & von Aster, 2015). Individuals with dyscalculia struggle in subitizing and calculating simple sums; they also have a poor sense of magnitude and limited abilities in solving arithmetic problems. Dyscalculia is estimated to affect between 3.5 and 6.5 percent of school children depending on the country of study and criteria of diagnosis (Shalev & von Aster, 2008). It has been associated with poorer life outcomes, including health, achievements, and quality of life (e.g., due to an inability to manage finances, limited career opportunities). Despite comparable prevalence to dyslexia, and arguably a more severe negative impact on an individual's life outcome, it is less recognized and understood (Beddington et al., 2008).
Streaming Media
- What is Dyscalculla?Dyscalculia refers to a wide range of lifelong learning disabilities involving math. Listen to Dr. Horowitz talk about dyscalculia and the different elements of dyscalculia.
Online Resources
- Developmental dyscalculia.Numerical skills are essential in our everyday life, and impairments in the development of number processing and calculation have a negative impact on schooling and professional careers. Approximately 3 to 6 % of children are affected from specific disorders of numerical understanding (developmental dyscalculia (DD)). Impaired development of number processing skills in these children is characterized by problems in various aspects of numeracy as well as alterations of brain activation and brain structure.
- Developmental dyscalculia: a dysconnection syndrome?Numerical understanding is important for everyday life. For children with developmental dyscalculia (DD), numbers and magnitudes present profound problems which are thought to be based upon neuronal impairments of key regions for numerical understanding. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible differences in white matter fibre integrity between children with DD and controls using diffusion tensor imaging. White matter integrity and behavioural measures were evaluated in 15 children with developmental dyscalculia aged around 10 years and 15 matched controls. The main finding, obtained by a whole brain group comparison, revealed reduced fractional anisotropy in the superior longitudinal fasciculus in children with developmental dyscalculia.
- The Diagnosis and Management of DyscalculiaDyscalculia is defined as difficulty acquiring basic arithmetic skills that is not explained by low intelligence or inadequate schooling. About 5% of children in primary schools are affected. Dyscalculia does not improve without treatment.
- The Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyscalculia3–7% of all children, adolescents, and adults suffer from dyscalculia. Severe, persistent difficulty performing arithmetical calculations leads to marked impairment in school, at work, and in everyday life and elevates the risk of comorbid mental disorders. The state of the evidence underlying various methods of diagnosing and treating this condition is unclear.
Perspectives
Understanding Dyscalculia and Numeracy Difficulties
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects the acquisition of numerical skills. A far larger number of pupils, while not dyscalculic, fail to acquire the basic numerical skills required for everyday life. Whatever the cause of poor numeracy it is essential that these difficulties are identified and addressed. This book looks at how adults can help identify each child's specific areas of difficulty and describes a multi-sensory approach that can be adapted for the needs of each student to help them better understand numbers and apply that understanding to solve problems. It covers the origins of number sense and how the brain deals with numbers, assessment, planning intervention, what to teach and how to teach it, and how parents can help their children. This straightforward guide will be essential reading for any parent, teacher or education professional working with a child with dyscalculia or numeracy difficulties.
Dyscalculia
Based on expert observations of children who experience difficulties with maths this book gives a comprehensive overview of dyscalculia, providing a wealth of information and useful guidance for any practitioner. With a wide range of appropriate and proven intervention strategies it guides readers through the cognitive processes that underpin success in mathematics and gives fascinating insights into why individual students struggle with maths. Readers are taken step-by-step through each aspect of the maths curriculum and each section includes: Examples which illustrate why particular maths difficulties occur Practical 'action plans' which help teachers optimise children's progress in mathematics This fully revised second edition will bring the new research findings into the practical realm of the classroom. Reflecting current knowledge, Glynis Hannell gives increased emphasis to the importance of training 'number sense' before teaching formalities, the role of concentration difficulties and the importance of teaching children to use strategic thinking. Recognising that mathematical learning has a neurological basis will continue to underpin the text, as this has significant practical implications for the teacher.
Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Based in cutting-edge research in neuroscience, education, and the principles of attachment-based teaching, this important guide for parents offers tools and practices to help children transcend language-based learning difficulties, do better in school, and gain self-confidence and self-esteem. If your child has a language-based learning difficulty--such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, and auditory processing disorder--they may have to work twice as hard to keep up with their peers in school. Your child may also have feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or shame as a result of their learning differences. As a parent, it hurts to see your child struggle. But the good news is that there are proven-effective strategies you can learn to help your child be their best. This book will show you how. Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities outlines an attachment-based approach to help your child succeed based in the latest research. This research indicates that a secure attachment relationship between you and your child actually optimizes their learning ability by enhancing motivation, regulating anxiety, and triggering neuroplasticity. In this book, you'll discover why it's so important to accurately assess your child, find new perspectives on LBLDs based on the most current studies, and discover tips and strategies for navigating school, home life, and your child's future. Most importantly, you'll learn how your own special bond with your child can help spark their interest in reading, writing, and math. Every child is unique--and every child learns in his or her own way. With this groundbreaking guide, you'll be able to help your child thrive, in school and life.
Can I Tell You about Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a learning difference affecting the ability to process numbers. This illustrated guide provides children aged 7+ with the tools and confidence to understand the condition, discover helpful techniques, and seek additional support. It guides parents and teachers on how to help at home and at school, and includes an extensive resource list.
Teaching Students with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, OWL LD, and Dyscalculia
How can teachers provide effective instruction for students with learning disabilities while meeting the needs of all students? The second edition of this accessible text gives K - 12 educators research-based answers, straight from two highly respected voices in the field. The first teacher training text to cover all four learning disabilities that require differentiated instruction -- dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)-- this book prepares educators to deliver explicit and engaging instruction customized to the needs of their students. Critical insights from diverse fields blend with lessons learned from actual teaching experience, making this an ideal preservice text and a great in-service professional development tool. This is the book teachers need to: strengthen instruction with current research findings from many fields; help all students (including students with specific learning disabilities) develop oral and written language skills and proficiency with math concepts and problem solving; use differentiated instruction to organize their classrooms, routines, and lesson plans; uncover both the why and the how of differentiated instruction, so they can adapt their teaching techniques as needed; apply a specific instructional framework that helps students overcome working memory inefficiencies and related problems; and create a positive learning environment that promotes intellectual engagement and social emotional development. The second edition has a timely new chapter on using technology for accommodations and explicit instruction; Research Lessons that demystify new findings; Teaching Tips featuring educators' voices of experience; more on in-service preparation for educators on interdisciplinary school teams; guidelines on addressing current challenges in the field; and coverage of specific learning disabilities related to math.