Dyscalculia is a condition which affects the ability to acquire mathematical skills.
Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers and have problems learning number facts and procedures. Even if they produce a correct answer, they may do so mechanically and without confidence (DfES, 2001).
Symptoms
- Difficulties learning to count and order numbers
- Difficulties recognising patterns and having poor number sense
- Difficulties learning and recalling basic number facts
- Struggles to identify math symbols and use them correctly
- Challenges in visual-spatial representations
- Difficulties understanding place value
- Difficulties with mathematical operations such as fractions, measurement and estimation.
Support
Children can succeed in numeracy through a specialised program to fill in the gaps and address the underlying weaknesses.