DYSLEXIA ASSESSMENT EPSOM
DYSCALCULIA & MATHS DIFFICULTIES
WHAT IS DYSCALCULIA?
What is Dyscalculia?
The term Dyscalculia is often used to describe someone who unexpectedly struggles to understand and achieve in Maths. The current working definition of Maths difficulties and dyscalculia is provided in the section 'SASC Definition of a Specific Learning Difficulty in Maths' below. This definition is designed to support assessors in diagnosing dyscalculia. The important points to note are as follows:
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A specific learning difficulty in Maths is more common than dyscalculia.
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A specific learning difficulty in Maths is caused by processing difficulties that impact on mathematical skills.
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Dyscalculia is a difficulty particularly in understanding and working with numbers.
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With dyscalculia, we may see age related difficulties with naming, ordering and comparing physical quantities and numbers, estimating and place value.
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The impact of such difficulties on an individual’s mathematical ability can vary across individuals and across the lifespan.
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Any difficulties in Maths may be affected by other factors including the environment and any co-occurring difficulties.
DO I HAVE DYSCALCULIA?
If you think you or your child may have dyscalculia and would like further support before booking a full diagnostic assessment try a free dyscalculia screening tool online first.
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A free online dyscalculia test for both children and adults
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Free Tests - Educational Assessment and Support
Free dyscalculia screen test
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Please keep in mind, no online screening tests are fully accurate. For a formal diagnosis, a formal assessment but a qualified professional must take place.
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If you suspect you might have dyscalculia after taking these tests, please feel free to contact me to discuss further.
INDICATORS OF DYSCALCULIA
AM I DYSCALCULIA?
Some indicators of dyscalculia are detailed below. Few children will exhibit all of these characteristics and the presence of any individual characteristic will not necessarily indicate dyslexia. A diagnostic assessment is required for a formal diagnosis of dyscalculia which would entail additional information being provided from home and school to obtain a holistic profile of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
Primary School age
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Has difficulty learning and recalling basic number facts such as number bonds, e.g. 6 + 4 = 10.
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Still uses fingers to count instead of using more advanced strategies (like mental maths)
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Poor understanding of the signs +, -, xx and x or may confuse these mathematical symbols
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Struggles to recognise that 3 + 5 is the same as 5 + 3 or may not be able to solve 3 + 26 ‒ 26 without calculating
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Has trouble with place value, often putting numbers in the wrong column.
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May not understand maths language or be able to devise a plan to solve a maths problem.
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Finds it difficult to understand maths phrases like greater than and less than
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Has trouble keeping score in sports or games
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Has difficulty working out the total cost of items and can run out of money
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May avoid situations that require understanding numbers, like playing games that involve maths.
about you.
12 years and above
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Struggles to understand information on charts and graphs.
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Has trouble finding different approaches to the same maths problem, such as adding the length and width of a rectangle and doubling the answer to solve for the perimeter (rather than adding all the sides).
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Struggles to learn and understand reasoning methods and multi-step calculation procedures
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Has trouble measuring items like ingredients in a simple recipe or liquids in a bottle.
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Lacks confidence in activities that require understanding speed, distance and directions, and may get lost easily.
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Has trouble applying maths concepts to money, such as calculating the exact change
Adulthood
Typical symptoms include:
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difficulty counting backwards
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difficulty remembering ‘basic’ facts
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slow to perform calculations
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weak mental arithmetic skills
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a poor sense of numbers & estimation
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Difficulty in understanding place value
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Addition is often the default operation
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High levels of mathematics anxiety
Source: Maths Explained