Mathematics difficulties are best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and they have many causal factors. Dyscalculia falls at one end of the spectrum and will be distinguishable from other maths issues due to the severity of difficulties with number sense, including subitising, symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison, and ordering. It can occur singly but often co-occurs with other specific learning difficulties, mathematics anxiety and medical conditions. BDA/SASC (2019)
The most common difficulties children with dyscalculia face include recognising numbers and symbols, ordering and sequencing, and retaining and recalling mathematical facts and rules.
Similar to dyslexia, dyscalculia is a learning difference – a neurological, brain-based difference. The two conditions diverge in that dyslexia affects the learning of phonology, where dyscalculia affects the learning of number modules.
There is more international research around dyslexia, so awareness is greater. Often, only the most severe cases of dyscalculia are identified and diagnosed. It is thought the prevalence rate of dyscalculia, therefore, may actually be higher than 6%.
Children with dyscalculia, where unsupported, often experience high levels of maths anxiety, which may materialise in a variety of active and passive behaviours. If a child always feels ‘wrong’, even though they’re trying exceptionally hard to grasp a concept, their self-esteem can easily be affected. They may become withdrawn and develop low self-worth, or they might become increasingly frustrated and display bursts of emotion as a result.
At Educational MOT our tutoring sessions make learning fun, motivating and progressive for your child. By working with practical materials, students get the chance to explore maths and develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and an opportunity to practise skills through game-based learning.
‘Game-based learning can help children with learning differences by providing exciting learning activities and maintaining their motivation to practise skills they find difficult to master.’ Lamsa et al., 2018
So whether your child has been diagnosed with dyscalculia, exhibits dyscalculic-type difficulties or is simply in need of some catch-up, we provide tailored tutoring sessions to meet your child’s needs.
Educational MOT 