Arithmetic weakness or dyscalculia affects an average of one child in a school class. Children with dyscalculia lack a basic understanding of numbers, quantities, dimensions, and mathematical operations. WHO recognizes dyscalculia as a disease and classifies it among mental disorders as "a calculation disorder that cannot be explained solely by a general intellectual deficiency or clearly inappropriate learning."
How is dyscalculia manifested?
Difficulties often become apparent already in the first grade when transitioning from counting arithmetic to the use of non-counting strategies. Children with arithmetic disabilities struggle and fail in arithmetic in the range of numbers above 20.
The first signs, such as problems with spatial orientation, reluctance to put together puzzles or play with Legos, may appear earlier.
If one of your students is struggling in more than one of the following areas of math, arithmetic deficiencies may be the cause. Individual phenomena can also occur in children who do not suffer from dyscalculia, but usually only for a limited period of time.
The severity of arithmetic weakness varies from child to child: difficulties do not necessarily have to occur in all areas and can be developed to varying degrees. The list is a guide that does not replace the diagnosis of experts, but should sharpen the view of the problem:
Lack of understanding of numbers:
It is impossible to write down values, translate numbers, difficulties during calculation
Lack of orientation in time and space:
Time cannot be determined (before-after, shorter-longer...); It is difficult to distinguish between left and right
Problems with elementary arithmetic:
Only counting, counting with fingers, confusion of plus and minus, errors in calculation around plus or minus, difficulties with learning the multiplication table are possible
Difficulties in comparison:
more-less, more-less, higher-lower...
Misunderstanding of mathematical problems:
The content of text tasks cannot be written down, even for simple tasks written solution methods are preferred, the components of tasks are not written down.
How is dyscalculia manifested?
Lack of understanding of numbers
Lack of orientation in time and space
Difficulties in making comparisons
Misunderstanding of mathematical problems
What to do if children have problems with mathematics?
The first point of contact is the school psychologist or pediatrician. Through these offices, parents can connect with special facilities or qualified therapists.
