Mar28

Developmental Dyscalculia. Definition, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Developmental dyscalculia refers to a specific learning difficulty that affects a child’s ability to understand and make use of basic mathematical concepts.

Developmental Dyscalculia: What is it?

Developmental dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects children in the development of mathematical skills, such as understanding numbers, numeracy, problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.

There are different types of dyscalculia but, in general, children with Developmental dyscalculia have difficulties in learning and understanding basic mathematical concepts and may have problems performing simple mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. They may also have difficulty understanding abstract concepts such as fractions or proportions.

Developmental dyscalculia can be caused by a variety of factors, such as problems in visual or spatial perception, difficulties in working memory or problems processing numerical information.

Developmental dyscalculia: Symptoms

Symptoms of developmental dyscalculia can vary, but some of the common signs may include:

Difficulty in counting and basic mental arithmetic.
Difficulty understanding basic mathematical concepts, such as addition and subtraction operations.
Difficulty remembering basic mathematical facts, such as multiplication tables.
Difficulty understanding the relationship between numbers and quantities.
Difficulty reading and writing numbers correctly.
Difficulty in understanding and using spatial and geometric concepts.

Developmental dyscalculia: Diagnosis and Treatment

It is important to identify Developmental dyscalculia early so that children can receive the appropriate intervention and classroom support to develop their mathematical skills. Developmental dyscalculia can be diagnosed by a mental health professional, such as an educational psychologist, and treatment may include individual therapy, specialised mathematics tutoring and adapting the learning environment to meet the child’s needs.

Parents and educators can work together to help children with developmental dyscalculia by providing practical exercises and personalised learning strategies. It is important to address developmental dyscalculia as early as possible to help children overcome their difficulties and succeed in their studies.

Curricular Adaptations

Curricular adaptations are adjustments to the curriculum that are made to meet the specific needs of students with developmental dyscalculia. These adaptations may include:

Adjustments to the pace and intensity of mathematics lessons to allow children to progress at their own pace.
Providing clear and simple instructions to ensure they understand mathematical concepts…
Using visually appealing learning materials and resources, such as diagrams and manipulatives, to facilitate understanding.
Use concrete examples and practical applications to show how mathematical concepts are applied in everyday life.
Allow the use of calculators or other technological tools to help them perform mathematical calculations.
Provide additional time for mathematical tasks and assessments.
Provide regular and specific feedback to help the child identify and overcome obstacles in mathematical learning.

It is important to remember that curricular adaptations must be personalised for each child, as the needs and strengths of each child with developmental dyscalculia may be different. Collaboration between parents, educators and special education specialists can be very helpful in developing an effective curriculum adaptation plan.

Test for detecting the risk of dyscalculia in children

If you have any concerns about the possibility of your child having dyscalculia, feel free to use this dyscalculia test free of charge. You will receive the results instantly. Remember, early detection and attention helps reduce difficulties.

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Hiwet Costa

Hiwet holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Trieste and is an expert in learning disorders. She is the co-founder of Happy Mind Training, a clinic specialized in intervention for mathematical learning difficulties. She is also a part of the diversity support team at Smartick. Currently, she collaborates with the Numerical Cognition Lab at the University of Málaga on projects related to intervention and assessment of dyscalculia.