What Are the Signs of Dyscalculia?

People who have trouble understanding numbers may suffer from a genetic disorder called dyscalculia. There are different levels of severity, with some people able to understand and recognize numbers after spending a lot of time thinking about them while others are unable to remember numbers at all or can't manage to make any sense of them. Many people are born with this condition but go undiagnosed for years. Knowing the signs and seeking out a special needs school can help.

What Are the Signs of Dyscalculia?Inability to Recognize Printed NumbersBefore understanding number values or basic math, children must learn to recognize numbers. Children with a number disorder may not have trouble remembering colors, letters, or shapes, but they may have difficulty understanding written numbers.

Learning to Count Is DifficultTypically, children learn to count when they are toddlers, and many of them catch on quickly. While it's not uncommon for young kids to struggle with counting, parents who have a diagnosis of their own may recognize it in their children early on. In most cases, young children should be able to achieve basic counting before they begin grade school.

Trouble With Simple MathSome time during early education, children should be able to understand simple math. Children with a number disorder may not recognize the numbers, so may not be able to adequately identify their values in order to perform basic math. A child needs to understand the written number two before they are able to understand its value as also being two.

Counting Money Is FrustratingIt may not come as a surprise that people with a number disorder may not do well with money. Since counting money requires basic math, the signs of a struggling mind may be compounding. If they cannot recognize numbers, then they cannot assign them their value. And without their accurate value, counting money can feel impossible and overwhelming.

Understanding Shapes Can Be ChallengingDifficulty understanding shapes is not uncommon among people with a number disorder. It may not be the shapes themselves that are unrecognizable, but it's the even sides or straight lines that can be confusing. Much like numbers and letters, shapes are a series of lines that require the brain to recognize their patterns.

How Our Special Needs School Can HelpHere at HillSprings Academy, we have an experienced and knowledgeable team trained in alleviating the discouragement that can come from having a learning disorder. We are a nonprofit learning center with a student-to-teacher ratio of no more than 4:1. Our compassionate and well-equipped team specializes in treating reading and number disorders while offering family support.

Children can have trouble learning numbers at various stages during childhood, so a proper diagnosis when they are young can be difficult. Our school is well-equipped to help you and your family address your concerns. Contact us today at Hillsprings Learning and let us answer your questions and give you an idea of how we can better assist you. There is no cure for this disorder, but there are treatments that can improve a child's comprehension.