Dyscalculia in the news

[Brook]

Hi all,

 

I know some of you have been discussing this recently,

I came across this article on the news and thought you may be interested.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4780180.stm

 

Brook

Edited March 7, 2006 by Brook

[kirstie]

Thanks Brook,

it's very interesting.

you're all so great and have helped me understand yet another son better!!

Thanks guys.

[Malika]

Thanks Brook!!

 

People with dyscalculia may have better than average language skills and be good at sciences, the creative arts and even some aspects of mathematics.

 

I have to make some research now as this is exactly the description of my "NT" daughter strength and weakness.

 

Malika.

[Canopus]

For many years I have suspected that a high proportion of the architects behind magnificent buildings of centuries gone by were illiterate and innumerate. There seems to be quite a strong correlation between the introduction of compulsory education with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy, and the demise in architectural style.

[PinkSapphireAngel]

Where would an adult get assessed for this condition,?

I have seriously thought for a long time I might have it as I get this absolutemental block when doing even what I know is a straight forward piece of everyday maths and its so frustrating.

[kirstie]

Pinksaphireangel,

Nice username by the way

I'm not sure about adult diagnosis although i'm the same with mental block when it comes to maths. I can't picture the numbers in my mind atall. I can do the easy times tables, 2 and 5 and 10 but the rest are a bit of a muddle and i have to write it down or use my fingers! I'm OK with time and 24 hour clocks but don't ask me what change i should get in a shop, unless it's quite straightforward. I seem to have trouble copying down and reading numbers like on a credit card. I often muddle them up and have to cover the numbers as i go so i can't see them. I am determined to get my son the help he needs because i had a dreadful time in school where two teachers in particular would humiliate me and ask me mental arithmetic questions in front of the whole class and when i couldn't do it would scream in my face turning a nasty shade of beetroot. What an old bag she was.

[PinkSapphireAngel]

Thank you!!

 

I am exactly the same with change in shops and copying numbers.

My sons strength seems to be maths which is great but as he has handwriting problems it is not always easy to assess him as he cannot get things down on paper well.

 

Literacy is something he struggles with.

[curra]

I have always suspected dyscalculia in my son. He is 12 and still has no concept of or interest in time, money, measurements or anything that has to do with numbers. He can do well in geometry but not in calculations (he still needs a calculator to add 6 +4 ). He can't read maps, is terrible desorganised with things and work has always suffered with his Maths lessons. I don't know how he manages to stay in the minimum level for his age. His strength is language and memorising names and events.

Should I tell the peadiatrician? He usually doesn't seem to be very interested in my son's academic problems, just the health issues.How could he be diagnosed?

 

Curra

[PinkSapphire]

Still hoping to find out HOW on earth I can get assessed, I now work in SEN in secondary school and my difficulties are really becoming an issue as I cannot get much further in my career without a GCSE in Maths and I only scrapred a G at school.

[Kathryn]

My daughter has recently passed an adult numeracy exam which she took at college after years of not being able to do maths at school. It's equivalent to a GCSE and she was able to do it online after tuition and loads of practice tests. This might be something worth exploring, Pink Sapphire?

 

K x

[madme]

Hi my son has a diagnosis. We went private as it was never going to be recognised by his school. It took a lot of research to find the right peson who is quite well known in this area and dyslexia. There is also the possibility of doing a computer programme test designed by Professor Butterworth but it is not necessaril; i'm told fool proof. The dx meant that he gets specialist maths 1:1 and that has made a difference but there is no cure he still has great difficulties with maths but at least this way he should get through his GCSE although the LEA are threatenng to remove this help in year 10 so we may have to go back to tribunal for this again. There are some interesting books on dyscalulia. Good luck.

[Kazzen161]

The school I work in has just got "The Dyscalculia Toolkit" book, and it looks quite good.