Dyscalculia is a term used to describe learning disabilities that specifically affect numeric skills. According to Teaching Expertise, an online resource for teachers, approximately 5 percent of all children have some form of dyscalculia. There are many different types of math disabilities that are considered to be dyscalculia, though underlying causes vary. Whatever the causes of the learning problem, there are several strategies to help overcome dyscalculia.
Repeated Reinforcment
One of the best ways to overcome dyscalculia is through repeated reinforcement. The student, along with a teacher, parent or tutor, should focus on the specific difficulty. This helps the student master the basics before moving on to new concepts. By removing the pressure of new material, a potentially negative feeling toward math can be changed to a positive experience.
Use Graph Paper
Some students who suffer from dyscalculia will have problems with visual-spatial relationship. That means that they have difficulty relating one object to another, which in math translates to difficulty relating one number to another. This is most often noticed when the student cannot align numbers in columns or when calculations overlap on paper, according to ChildD.org. For these students, it may be helpful to use graph paper which provides clear columns to help in organizing the numbers.
Apply Reasoning
Those who have good logic and verbal skills, but poor spatial skills can benefit from using reasoning skills instead of just memorizing numbers. For example, a child may be having difficulty remember their multiplication facts because they cannot see the relationship between the numbers. For example, if they are shown that 4 x 8 is equal to 4 x 4 doubled, as shown by Learning Disabilities Online, they can then see the relationship and understand the numbers instead of just trying to remember numbers that seem to have no meaning.
Estimating
Utilizing estimating skills can also help students with dyscalculia. By estimating, the student is encouraged to think about the problem as a whole to obtain an answer. Specific skills can then build from this.
Concrete Over Abstract
Students who have dyscalculia often have difficulty understanding abstract concepts, according to Teaching Expertise. Therefore, one strategy is to present concrete examples of problems before trying to explain the abstract concept. Use everyday examples with real objects to help the student visualize the math problem.
Encourage Questions
As with any type of learning disability or any learning situation in general, always encourage the student to ask questions. This is especially helpful to those whose dyscalculia is caused by language difficulties. Asking questions can help reinforce ideas and provide additional explanation to help visualize the problem.
