Dyscalculia
What Is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is related to the more well-known disorder dyslexia, except instead of trouble reading, it implies that the individual fails to understand numbers and how to utilize them, which includes practicing mathematics and learning about mathematics.
Having dyscalculia says nothing about the person's IQ. People with a wide variety of intellectual capacities might be affected by the illness, which affects up to 6% of the population (equally divided between men and women). It does, however, occur in conjunction with other learning difficulties and/or physical health issues, such as dyslexia and ADHD. In a minority of situations, it may be the result of brain damage, but in the majority of cases, we simply do not know why some people have it.
Although certain signs of dyscalculia can be detected in very young children, it is generally identified in older children or even adults who have trouble with mathematics and occupations that require the application of mathematics. In addition to the more obvious example of completing mathematics, persons with dyscalculia frequently struggle with dancing, which requires motor sequencing, and can find it more difficult than usual to learn skills such as driving, which requires strong spatial awareness, which they frequently lack.
What Are the Consequences of Not Treating Dyscalculia Properly?
Many youngsters learn coping techniques to assist them manage their dyscalculia, with varied degrees of success, but the condition persists in many others throughout adulthood. It can have a major influence on their life if they do not receive support and therapy. Adults with dyscalculia may struggle not just with arithmetic, but also with recognizing when they have made a numerical error, managing their finances, and doing vital adult tasks like driving. All of this can be detrimental to their mood and possibly lead to depression. When they fail at things that they believe they should be able to complete, they might suffer intense anxiety and frustration. They, like those with dyslexia (which can be associated with dyscalculia), may be concerned about their IQ.
If someone believes they have dyscalculia, the most crucial thing is to have an official diagnosis. A licensed psychologist can examine the individual in issue to determine if this is the case.
Since most individuals with dyscalculia must learn to live with the disorder, the emphasis is typically on assisting them in managing the condition so that its impact on their life is minimized. Some concessions may include the use of a calculator and time-management software. Many persons with dyscalculia find that visualizing mathematical material makes it much easier for them to grasp. This might imply that presenting data in the form of a bar chart or a pie chart, for example, makes it easier for individuals to grasp and implement. It is also critical that they inform their coworkers and/or employer that they have dyscalculia and may need to request extra time or assistance on occasion.
Anxiety and stress, like other learning disorders, intensify dyscalculia, both in terms of how the symptoms manifest and the overall impact of the disease on the person's life. For many people, being able to put a name to something that has been bothering them for years is therapeutic by itself. Many people feel a tremendous feeling of relief when the cause of their problems is recognized, making it simpler for them to accept the need to make specific accommodations in their life and to periodically seek help.