Dyscalculia: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>D. Matt Innis
(→‎Symptoms: some more good information?)
imported>Meg Taylor
No edit summary
(11 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{subpages}}
{{subpages}}
<!-- Please ignore (but don't delete) any formatting that you are not familiar with. Others will probably chime in to help you set things up. -->
'''Dyscalculia''', also known as dyscalcula, is a little-known [[learning disability]] that affects  the ability to do [[mathematics]].  
'''Dyscalculia''', also known as dyscalcula, is a little known learning disability that affects  the ability to complete mathematics.  


== Learning Disabilities ==
== Learning disabilities ==
The ''[[National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke]]'' (NINDS) describes learning disabilities as "disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention." They normally occur in very young children, but are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age and affect 8 to 10 percent of American children under 18 years of age.<ref name="urlLearning Disabilities Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)">{{cite web
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes learning disabilities as "disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention." They normally occur in very young children, but are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age and affect 8 to 10 percent of American children under 18 years of age.<ref name="urlLearning Disabilities Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)">{{cite web
|url=http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/learningdisabilities/learningdisabilities.htm
|url=http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/learningdisabilities/learningdisabilities.htm
|title=Learning Disabilities Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
|title=Learning Disabilities Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Line 12: Line 10:
|accessdate=2010-08-11
|accessdate=2010-08-11
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
Developmental dyscalculia is defined as being two standard deviations below the mean between mental age and math age. There is clear reason to believe there is an example of retardation of math development. <ref name="urlwww.dyscalculia.org">{{cite web
Developmental dyscalculia is defined as being two standard deviations below the mean between mental age and math age. There is clear reason to believe there is an example of retardation of math development.<ref name="urlwww.dyscalculia.org">{{cite web
|url=http://www.dyscalculia.org/thesis.pdf
|url=http://www.dyscalculia.org/thesis.pdf
|title=www.dyscalculia.org
|title=www.dyscalculia.org
Line 19: Line 17:
|accessdate=2010-08-11
|accessdate=2010-08-11
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
Dyscalculia is classified based on how it affects the individual. To read about the different classifications of dyscalculia read The Dyscalculia Syndrome by Renee M. Newman, M.S. Special Eucation. The link is found at the external links associated with this article.
Dyscalculia is classified based on how it affects the individual.<ref>The Dyscalculia Syndrome by Renee M. Newman, M.S. Special Education.</ref>
 
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Symptoms can include spatial problems, difficulty aligning numbers, sequencing including left to right orientation, math concepts and word problems.  
Symptoms can include spatial problems, difficulty aligning numbers, sequencing including left-to-right orientation, math concepts and word problems.  


Typically, it involves inability to understand the meaning of numbers and their quantities. Students will have difficulty understanding basic operations of addition and subtraction and may not understand complex problems such as multiplication, division, and more abstract problems. Because they cannot understand these math concepts, they do not remember and therefore cannot build on them to master more complex problems.<ref name="urlDyscalculia - A Learning Disability in Math Reasoning and Calculation">{{cite web |url=http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/learningdisabilitybasics/p/Dyscalculia.htm |title=Dyscalculia - A Learning Disability in Math Reasoning and Calculation |format= |work= |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref>
Typically, it involves inability to understand the meaning of numbers and their quantities. Students will have difficulty understanding basic operations of addition and subtraction and may not understand complex problems such as multiplication, division, and more abstract problems. Because they cannot understand these math concepts, they do not remember and therefore cannot build on them to master more complex problems.<ref name="urlDyscalculia - A Learning Disability in Math Reasoning and Calculation">{{cite web |url=http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/learningdisabilitybasics/p/Dyscalculia.htm |title=Dyscalculia - A Learning Disability in Math Reasoning and Calculation |format= |work= |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref>
Line 32: Line 31:
|accessdate=2010-08-11
|accessdate=2010-08-11
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
In the academic setting, students are usually good at science and continue to excel in the subject until their ability to do the needed math is no longer possible as they lack the needed “higher math skills.”<ref name="urlHave you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)">{{cite web
In the academic setting, students can be good at science until their ability to do the needed math is no longer possible as they lack the needed “higher math skills.”<ref name="urlHave you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)">{{cite web
|url=http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/dyscalcula.html
|url=http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/dyscalcula.html
|title=Have you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)
|title=Have you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)
Line 39: Line 38:
|accessdate=2010-08-11
|accessdate=2010-08-11
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
Individuals are typically good in the areas of science (until a level requiring higher mathematics skills is reached), geometry, and creative arts.  
Individuals are typically good in the areas of science (until a level requiring higher mathematics skills is reached), geometry, and creative arts. But, inconsistent results when completing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems complicate the ability to make long-term financial plans due to difficulties with understanding credit planning and related financial transactions.<ref name="urlHave you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)">{{cite web
 
Other symptoms may include inconsistent results when completing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. This can include the inability to make long-term financial planning as they have difficulties with credit planning and related financial transactions.
<ref name="urlHave you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)">{{cite web
|url=http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/dyscalcula.html
|url=http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/dyscalcula.html
|title=Have you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)
|title=Have you ever heard of a learning disability called Dyscalculia (also acalculia)
Line 49: Line 45:
|accessdate=2010-08-11
|accessdate=2010-08-11
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
Dyscalculia is commonly associated with other related problems including Attention-Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, regulation of emotion problems, tic disorders and bipolar disorders.
Dyscalculia is commonly associated with other related problems including Attention-Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, regulation of emotion problems, tic disorders and bipolar disorders.<ref name="urlIs Learning Disability the Only Problem? - Learning Disabilities Association of America">{{cite web
<ref name="urlIs Learning Disability the Only Problem? - Learning Disabilities Association of America">{{cite web
|url=http://www.ldaamerica.org/aboutld/parents/ld_basics/comorbidity.asp
|url=http://www.ldaamerica.org/aboutld/parents/ld_basics/comorbidity.asp
|title=Is Learning Disability the Only Problem? - Learning Disabilities Association of America
|title=Is Learning Disability the Only Problem? - Learning Disabilities Association of America
Line 59: Line 54:


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{reflist}}
 
<!--Please ignore the following lines if you are not familiar with the usage of subpages at Citizendium.-->
 
[[Category:CZ Live]]
[[Category:Articles without metadata]]
[[Category:Stub Articles]]
[[Category:Needs Workgroup]]

Revision as of 03:57, 7 October 2013

This article is a stub and thus not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

Dyscalculia, also known as dyscalcula, is a little-known learning disability that affects the ability to do mathematics.

Learning disabilities

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes learning disabilities as "disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention." They normally occur in very young children, but are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age and affect 8 to 10 percent of American children under 18 years of age.[1] Developmental dyscalculia is defined as being two standard deviations below the mean between mental age and math age. There is clear reason to believe there is an example of retardation of math development.[2] Dyscalculia is classified based on how it affects the individual.[3]

Symptoms

Symptoms can include spatial problems, difficulty aligning numbers, sequencing including left-to-right orientation, math concepts and word problems.

Typically, it involves inability to understand the meaning of numbers and their quantities. Students will have difficulty understanding basic operations of addition and subtraction and may not understand complex problems such as multiplication, division, and more abstract problems. Because they cannot understand these math concepts, they do not remember and therefore cannot build on them to master more complex problems.[4]

Individuals with suspected dyscaculia may have normal or accelerated language skills and the ability to retain “the printed word”.[5] In the academic setting, students can be good at science until their ability to do the needed math is no longer possible as they lack the needed “higher math skills.”[5] Individuals are typically good in the areas of science (until a level requiring higher mathematics skills is reached), geometry, and creative arts. But, inconsistent results when completing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems complicate the ability to make long-term financial plans due to difficulties with understanding credit planning and related financial transactions.[5] Dyscalculia is commonly associated with other related problems including Attention-Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, regulation of emotion problems, tic disorders and bipolar disorders.[6]

References