Characteristics of Dyscalculia
There are many different types of dyscalculia with varying degrees, so the characteristics are also numerous. Most characteristics are educational. A student with dyscalculia will not be affected physically.
Educational
Behavioral
Physical
There are no physical characteristics of dyscalculia unless one considers neurological characteristics as physical. Neurologically, the parts of the brain may have been damaged during pregnancy or after that give the student trouble understand mathematics concepts (Wilson, 2007).
Medical
There are no medical characteristics of dyscalculia.
Educational
- Students with dyscalculia may have the inability to understand the meaning of numbers and their quantities (Logsdon, n.d.). They will have difficulty understanding anything that is number related.
- Dyscalculic students may also have a hard time remembering specific facts and formulas (Greene, n.d.). This will cause students to become frustrated when having to use the facts or formulas on an exam or assignment unless they are permitted to use notes.
- Some may have trouble learning basic arithmetic facts (Greene, n.d.). Unlike non-dyscalculic students, they will have trouble with even the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division which will ultimately lead to more difficulty since all of mathematics uses arithmetic.
- They also may have trouble telling and keeping track of time (Greene, n.d.).
- Dyscalculic students may have trouble handling money as well (Greene, n.d.). The students will have trouble figuring out how much change they will get back, may get the denominations confused, or numerous other troubles with money.
- They may also have trouble understanding abstract ideas (Greene, n.d.). Dyscalculic students may understand concrete mathematics but may not be able to move on to more abstract ideas.
Behavioral
- Students with dyscalculia may have trouble paying attention in class (Auerbach, Gross-Tsur, Manor, & Shalev, 2008). This is due to the fact that the student is frustrated with the content and does not want to pay attention.
- Students may also have aggressive behavior (Auerbach et al., 2008).
- According to Auerbach et al. (2008), students may also be anxious about class, classwork, and exams.
- Students may also be withdrawn (Auerbach et al., 2008). They do not want to be embarrassed by giving wrong answers or not being able to understand when their peers do understand.
- Delinquent behavior may be common among dyscalculic students (Auerbach et al., 2008). They will misbehave to take the attention away from the fact that they are having trouble learning math when other students are understanding it with more ease.
Physical
There are no physical characteristics of dyscalculia unless one considers neurological characteristics as physical. Neurologically, the parts of the brain may have been damaged during pregnancy or after that give the student trouble understand mathematics concepts (Wilson, 2007).
Medical
There are no medical characteristics of dyscalculia.
Photo Citation:
Dyscalculia FAQs. (n.d.). Girl Struggling with Math. Retrieved from http://6bwritingportfolios.wikispaces.com/Dyscalculia+FAQs+%28LT8%29.