Dyscalculia

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What is Dyscalculia?

 

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a child’s ability in mathematics. It can impact their number sense, the memorisation of arithmetic facts, and their ability to calculate accurately and fluently. Children with dyscalculia may struggle with simple arithmetic, have difficulty understanding time and money, or find it hard to grasp abstract mathematical concepts. Understanding dyscalculia is crucial for providing the right support to help your child develop their mathematical skills over time.

Signs of Dyscalculia in children

Every child is different, but some common signs of dyscalculia include:

  • Difficulty understanding basic mathematical concepts like addition, subtraction, or multiplication.
  • Trouble with everyday tasks involving numbers, such as telling time, estimating quantities, or managing money.
  • Anxiety or frustration when faced with maths-related tasks, which can lead to avoidance or disruptive behaviour.

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Getting a dyscalculia assessment using an Educational Psychology Assessment

Our educational psychology assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of your child’s learning profile, looking at not just their mathematical abilities but also their cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and emotional well-being.

 

Our approach:

  1. Initial Consultation: This involves a detailed discussion with you, the parents, to gather background information and understand your concerns and your child’s developmental history.
  2. Assessment Sessions: Your child will take part in two testing sessions, usually lasting about 2 hours each. These sessions assess different areas such as cognitive abilities, academic skills, and behavioural functioning, a dyslexia test will also be incorporated into this.
  3. Feedback Session: Once the assessment is complete, we will meet with you to discuss the results. We’ll provide a comprehensive written report, including our observations, testing results, and tailored recommendations for support.

What kind of support is available for children with Dyscalculia?

Support for dyscalculia can include specialised maths programmes, one-to-one tutoring, and classroom adjustments such as extra time for maths tasks, the use of technology like calculators or maths software, and visual aids to assist understanding. Educational psychologists can help develop personalised support plans tailored to your child’s specific mathematical needs, ensuring they have the right tools and strategies to succeed in school.

Frequently asked questions

Dyscalculia is diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment conducted by an educational psychologist. This involves evaluating the child’s mathematical skills, cognitive abilities, and academic performance to identify patterns of difficulty specific to numerical understanding. Observations and input from parents and teachers are also crucial in making an accurate diagnosis.

Dyscalculia can only be diagnosed once a child has started school and has shown specific symptoms in learning settings for at least six months.

 

 Early diagnosis is beneficial as it allows for tailored interventions to address challenges with mathematical skills. If you’re concerned about your child’s math abilities, consulting an educational psychologist or math specialist can provide clarity.

Dyscalculia is often associated with differences in how the brain processes numerical information and engages with math-related tasks. Individuals with dyscalculia may struggle with understanding numbers, performing calculations, and grasping mathematical concepts, which can affect their ability to excel in maths and related subjects. Research suggests that this condition may have a genetic or neurological basis, meaning that certain hereditary factors or differences in brain structure and function might contribute to the difficulties experienced.

 

While the exact cause of dyscalculia is not fully understood, it is believed to arise from a combination of genetic predispositions and neurological factors. For example, some studies have identified brain areas that are crucial for numerical processing and found that these may function differently in individuals with dyscalculia. Environmental factors, such as early exposure to number concepts and supportive learning experiences, can also play a role in a child’s mathematical development.

 

Early intervention and support are crucial in making a significant difference in helping children develop their math skills. Tailored teaching strategies, such as using visual aids, hands-on activities, and engaging games, can help children with dyscalculia build confidence and improve their understanding of mathematical concepts. By providing appropriate resources and encouragement, parents and educators can foster a positive learning environment that empowers children to overcome challenges and embrace their strengths in other areas. Understanding dyscalculia as a complex and multifaceted condition is essential for creating the support systems necessary for each child’s success in mathematics and beyond.

Dyscalculia affects a child’s ability to understand numbers, perform calculations, and grasp math concepts, while dyslexia impacts reading, spelling, and language processing. A child may have one or both conditions, and professional assessments can help distinguish between them to provide the right support.

Dyscalculia assessments are typically carried out by educational psychologists or specialists in math-related learning disabilities. These evaluations examine your child’s math skills, including counting, number sense, and problem-solving abilities, to determine the specific areas of difficulty.

For a dyscalculia assessment, schools usually provide reports on your child’s math performance, teacher observations, and samples of work that reflect their difficulties with numbers. This information helps professionals get a clearer picture of the challenges your child is facing.

Collaborate with your child’s school to ensure they receive math-specific support, such as

individualised

learning plans or extra help during math lessons. At home, you can provide additional support by using hands-on activities, math apps, or games to reinforce concepts in a fun way. Encouragement, patience, and celebrating small successes will boost your child’s confidence in math.

Yes, dyscalculia can be diagnosed in adulthood, and it’s never too late to seek help. Adults who have struggled with maths may find that a diagnosis brings clarity and enables them to access accommodations in work, education, or daily tasks. There are many tools and strategies available to assist adults with dyscalculia at any stage in life.

Interventions for dyscalculia can include targeted maths tutoring, the use of visual aids and manipulatives to help grasp mathematical concepts, and strategies such as using a calculator or breaking down problems into smaller steps. While schools can provide accommodations like additional time on tests or modified assignments, it’s important to note that extra time is not automatically granted just because a child has dyscalculia.

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Marina Hilleary

December 9, 2024 No Comments

Dr Marina Hilleary is a Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and private practice. She completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of Exeter, graduating with first-class honours and was subsequently awarded an MSc in Mental Health Studies and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Dr Hilleary has 9 years of clinical experience in various NHS mental health settings, her current position being on a Specialist Adolescent Team at a Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). She has a specialist interest in working with children, young people and their families and has worked with young people presenting with a wide range of difficulties including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety (specific phobias, GAD, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic and OCD), PTSD, behaviours that challenge and additional neurodevelopmental needs.

Dr Hilleary is experienced in carrying out comprehensive psychological assessments (including cognitive assessments) and recognises the importance of working towards a shared understanding of the presenting difficulties to enable a positive therapeutic outcome. She draws on a range of evidence-based psychological therapies and models, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based approaches. In addition, Dr Hilleary utilises systemic family approaches when working with young people and their families.

Dr Hilleary adopts an integrative, compassionate and person-centred approach to engage young people, building their motivation to participate in decisions around their care plan and achieve their therapeutic goals. She works creatively with her clients and, where appropriate, alongside any of their important support systems.