Learning Disability > Dyscalculia

A mathematical disability in which a person has a difficulty in solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. Dyscalculia has a mixed form characterized by having difficulties both with reading and with math. Children with dyscalculia often require a long time to carry out even simple arithmetic tasks. They might count on their fingers until far into the upper grades. Such difficulties are termed as Automatization difficulties. Another problem area is linguistic difficulties which can manifest as difficulties in understanding numbers as concepts. Although often of high intelligence, such a child may have only a limited understanding of either numbers or even numerical symbols. Another form is planning difficulties that lead to the child's failure to carry out computations effectively. This child may have difficulties in following even an obvious strategy in solving arithmetic problems, losing track of where he/she is at, use complicated/time-taking strategies. Dyscalculia may also be based on problems in visual perception that lead to difficulties at tasks involving logical thinking as well as in carrying out computations. This is often encountered in children who have difficulties in learning to read an ordinary clock and understand how the position of the hands is to be interpreted.