CISP 421

1. Dyscalculia

2. What is Dyscalculia?
• A brain-based condition that makes it hard to make sense of numbers
and math concepts
• People with this disability may know what to do in a math equation,
but don’t understand why they are doing it
• Can also be called:
Schools – Mathematics learning disability
Doctors – Mathematics disorder
Kids/Parents – Math dyslexia

3. Two Types of Dyscalculia
• “Number Sense” – Person with disability does not understand how
numbers work
• “Number Blindness” – It is hard for the person to tell the difference
between quantities
Example: Cannot grasp the concept that 5 cookies = 5 cupcakes
5
5

4. How Common?
• This disability is not widely know/understood, but it is almost as
common as dyslexia
• 5-8% of people suffer from this disability
• In a class of 30, approximately 2 kids are affected
• Studies show math disorders link to reading disorders
Estimated 56% of kids with reading disorder have poor math skills
Estimated 43% of kids with a math disability have poor reading skills
=

5. What Are The Causes?
1. Genes/heredity – person with disorder has a parent/sibling with
math issues
2. Brain development – differences in surface area, thickness, volume
areas in the brain
3. Environment – linked to exposure to alcohol in the womb
4. Brain injury – serious injury to the brain

6. Signs & Symptoms
• Preschool/ Kindergarten
Cannot count, trouble with symbols, trouble remembering numbers, avoids
games with numbers and counting (Candy Land)
• Elementary/ Middle School
Cannot do simple math (2+4=6), doesn’t know +/-, poor sense in left and
right, trouble telling time
• High School
Everyday math concepts ($, tips), trouble measuring, cannot read
graphs/charts, extreme lack of confidence

7. Dyscalculia: My Story
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtOeVVkeO8

8. Skills That Are Affected
• Social skills
• Sense of direction
• Physical coordination
• Money
• Time management

9. Now, Lets Do Some Math!

10. Now Try This!
6 + 2 = 8
5 + 7 = 12

11. Questions
• If you suffered from this learning disability, how do you think you
could learn math in your own, unique way?
• We tend to automatically assume math is a hard subject. Do you think
if kids were told math was easy, they could be able to learn a little
better despite their issues with math?
• 5-8% of kids live with this disability, do you think it is underdiagnosed
given the fact that many students are not “math people”?
• Do you think there is a way to cure this learning disability? If not cure,
do you think medication can be taken to help?