Understanding Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia in children affects a child’s ability to understand numbers and mathematical concepts. It can make basic arithmetic and number-related tasks challenging, impacting a child’s educational journey and everyday activities. This page aims to provide comprehensive information about dyscalculia, its symptoms, impact, and how Performance Breakthrough can help children overcome these challenges through dyscalculia assessments, training, and support.
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Dyscalculia: What Is It?
Dyscalculia, meaning a specific deficit in understanding maths, is characterised by difficulties with number sense, memorising math facts, and performing calculations. Children with dyscalculia often struggle to grasp basic math concepts, leading to challenges in the classroom and everyday life. It is similar to dyslexia but focuses on mathematical abilities. This condition can vary in severity and may coexist with other difficulties in learning or developmental disorders.
Difficulty Understanding Numbers
Children with dyscalculia often have a hard time understanding the concept of quantity and the relationships between numbers. This goes beyond simply counting; they may not grasp that the numeral "3" represents three items. This fundamental difficulty can affect their ability to perform even the simplest calculations and can make learning math a daunting task. They might also struggle with place value, understanding the difference between tens and units, which is essential for more advanced arithmetic.
Trouble with Basic Arithmetic
Simple calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can be particularly challenging. Children may rely on inefficient strategies like counting on their fingers for basic sums, which can slow them down and lead to errors. They might also have trouble understanding the steps involved in these operations, leading to frequent mistakes and a lack of confidence in their abilities. For example, understanding the process of borrowing in subtraction or carrying over in addition can be confusing and frustrating.
Problems with Sequencing and Patterns
Recognizing and creating patterns, as well as understanding sequences, is often problematic. This can manifest as difficulty in following a sequence of numbers or steps in a math problem. For instance, they might not see the pattern in a sequence like 2, 4, 6, 8, or understand how to continue it. This difficulty can extend to real-life situations, such as following a recipe or a set of instructions, where steps need to be followed in a particular order.
Struggling to Remember Math Facts
Memorising math facts such as multiplication tables or math formulas is often a significant hurdle. Children with dyscalculia may know a fact one day and forget it the next, leading to inconsistent performance in math tests and classwork. This lack of memory means that they can't quickly recall basic facts, making all maths tasks slower and more laborious. For example, if they can't remember that 5 x 6 = 30, they will struggle with more complex problems that require this knowledge.
Difficulty with Time and Spatial Concepts
Children with dyscalculia often have trouble understanding time-related concepts such as telling time on an analog clock, calculating durations, or managing schedules. This difficulty can extend to understanding timelines and sequences of events. Additionally, spatial awareness issues might make it hard for them to understand geometric concepts, read maps, or follow directions. For example, they might get lost easily or struggle to understand left and right, which can affect their ability to navigate physical spaces.
Additional Symptoms
Difficulty Telling Time: Struggling to read clocks or understand the passage of time.
Trouble with Spatial Orientation: Difficulty understanding directions or reading maps.
Problems with Number Recognition: Confusing similar-looking numbers, switching number round the wrong way or not recognising numbers out of sequence.
Issues with Measurement: Problems understanding and using measurement concepts, such as length, weight, and volume.
Dyscalculia is a challenging but manageable difficulty. With early identification through tests and assessments, targeted intervention through training and support, children with dyscalculia can develop the necessary skills to succeed in maths and other areas of life. Performance Breakthrough is dedicated to helping these children overcome their difficulties and build a brighter academic future. If you suspect your child has dyscalculia or need more information, please contact us for a consultation.
How Performance Breakthrough Can Help
For over 15 years, Performance Breakthrough has been helping children improve their maths skills through targeted programmes designed to address their specific needs. Our approach focuses on developing sensory integration along with hand-eye co-ordination, spatial awareness, timing and rhythm. All of these elements are fundamental for the accurate processing and calculation of maths facts and the visual understanding of numbers. At Performance Breakthrough we enable a child to build a strong foundation in number sense and enhancing problem-solving skills through engaging and interactive exercises
Customised Programmes
Individual Assessments
Each child undergoes an initial assessment to identify specific challenges and strengths. This personalised evaluation helps in creating a tailored programme that addresses the unique needs of the child.
Flexible Plans
The programmes are designed to be adaptable, allowing for adjustments as the child progresses. This ensures that the strategies remain effective and relevant as improvements are made.
Neurodevelopmental Techniques
Brain Development
Performance Breakthrough utilises exercises that enhance brain development and function. These activities are aimed at addressing the core issues related to Dyscalculia, promoting better neural connectivity and overall cognitive health.
Multi-Sensory Activities
Physical Exercises
Engaging in tasks that improve hand-eye coordination, reaction speed, and physical balance is a key part of the programme. Examples include using a unique adjustable balance board and performing coordinated movements that require focused attention.
Cognitive Challenges
The programme incorporates activities designed to enhance memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Memory games, and other brain-training exercises are used to stimulate cognitive development.
Behavioural Improvements
Academic Impact
Children may avoid maths-related tasks, leading to gaps in their learning and falling behind their peers. This can affect their performance in other subjects that require maths skills, such as science and technology.
Emotional and Social Impact
The frustration and anxiety associated with dyscalculia can lead to behavioral issues and withdrawal from social interactions. Children might feel isolated or bullied because of their difficulties, impacting their social development.
Emotional Regulation
Stress Reduction: Techniques and activities are included to help children manage stress and frustration. By learning these skills, children can achieve better emotional regulation, leading to a calmer and more balanced demeanour.
Self-Esteem: As children see improvements in their abilities, their confidence and self-esteem often increase. Success in the programme reinforces their belief in their own potential.
Parental Involvement
Support and Guidance: Parents receive guidance on how to support their child’s progress at home. This creates a supportive environment that reinforces the benefits of the program, ensuring consistency and encouragement.
Regular Updates: Parents are kept informed about their child’s progress through regular update appointments. Adjustments to the programme are made as needed, keeping the parents actively involved in their child’s development.
Long-Term Benefits
Sustained Improvements: At Performance Breakthrough, our goal is to achieve long-term improvements that benefit children with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and ASD throughout their lives. By targeting the root causes of these conditions, our program utilizes the science of neuroplasticity to create lasting positive changes.
Skill Development: Children develop essential life skills that help them navigate challenges more effectively, both academically and socially. These skills provide a strong foundation for future success, helping children thrive in various aspects of their lives.
