Math Learning Disabilities
What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability (or difficulty) in mathematics. It was originally defined by the Czechoslovakia researcher Kosc [1], as a difficulty in mathematics as a result of impairment to particular parts of the brain involved in mathematical cognition, but without a general difficulty in cognitive function. This is the same definition that researchers in cognitive neuroscience use today.
Two other common terms come from different backgrounds but essentially mean the same thing; these are "Mathematics Disorder" (a diagnosis in the DSM-IV, a manual used by psychiatrists), and "Mathematical Disabilities", an educational term primary used in North America.
What all definitions have in common is 1) a presence of difficulties in mathematics, 2) some degree of specificity (ie. lack of across the board academic difficulties) and 3) the assumption that these are caused in some way by brain dysfunction.
Note that here dyscalculia refers to what is strictly called "developmental dyscalculia". There is another type of dyscalculia called "acquired dyscalculia" which is acquired (usually in adults) as a result of brain injury or stroke.
More information for Teachers
http://www.aboutdyscalculia.org/teachers.html
Websites on dyscalculia
www.mathematicalbrain.com. This is the website of Brian Butterworth, who is the UK's leading expert on dyscalculia. Updates on the latest research, and links to resources.
www.dyscalculiaforum.com. This is a great new site designed to spread the word about dyscalculia via a global discussion forum.
www.dyscalculia.org. The author of this site is a US special educator, Renee Newman. It contains many useful links to for teachers and for those in the US.
The Dyscalculia Centre. This site, sponsored by the publisher First and Best in Education Ltd, has links to resources for parents and teachers.
- All above information comes from work by Dr. Anna Wilson - http://www.aboutdyscalculia.org/dyscalculiamain.html
Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability (or difficulty) in mathematics. It was originally defined by the Czechoslovakia researcher Kosc [1], as a difficulty in mathematics as a result of impairment to particular parts of the brain involved in mathematical cognition, but without a general difficulty in cognitive function. This is the same definition that researchers in cognitive neuroscience use today.
Two other common terms come from different backgrounds but essentially mean the same thing; these are "Mathematics Disorder" (a diagnosis in the DSM-IV, a manual used by psychiatrists), and "Mathematical Disabilities", an educational term primary used in North America.
What all definitions have in common is 1) a presence of difficulties in mathematics, 2) some degree of specificity (ie. lack of across the board academic difficulties) and 3) the assumption that these are caused in some way by brain dysfunction.
Note that here dyscalculia refers to what is strictly called "developmental dyscalculia". There is another type of dyscalculia called "acquired dyscalculia" which is acquired (usually in adults) as a result of brain injury or stroke.
More information for Teachers
http://www.aboutdyscalculia.org/teachers.html
Websites on dyscalculia
www.mathematicalbrain.com. This is the website of Brian Butterworth, who is the UK's leading expert on dyscalculia. Updates on the latest research, and links to resources.
www.dyscalculiaforum.com. This is a great new site designed to spread the word about dyscalculia via a global discussion forum.
www.dyscalculia.org. The author of this site is a US special educator, Renee Newman. It contains many useful links to for teachers and for those in the US.
The Dyscalculia Centre. This site, sponsored by the publisher First and Best in Education Ltd, has links to resources for parents and teachers.
- All above information comes from work by Dr. Anna Wilson - http://www.aboutdyscalculia.org/dyscalculiamain.html