For some, the question “What is dyscalculia in children” may seem obvious. If you have a child you suspect that has dyscalculia (basically it’s dyslexia and math – number recognition, can’t understand simple math problems, addition, subtraction, etc.), then you may already know the answer. I suspect that since you’re reading this article, you have questions about the learning disability, and are looking to find more answers.

If your child struggles with simple math problems (as listed above) your child may have what is called “Dyscalculia in Children”. The learning disability includes the difficulty in understanding numbers, learning how to manipulate numbers, learning maths facts, and a number of other related symptoms (although there is no exact form of the disability).

Talk to your child’s teachers. If he or she is struggling in school, your teacher will be the first to tell you. There are certainly ways to treat dyscalculia in children, and the first step in treatment is recognizing treatment is needed. I realize this sounds very simple minded, but it’s the truth. If you’re child’s learning disability goes untreated, the results could be devastating to your child’s future.

Dyscalculia is derived from the Greek and Latin language which translates to “counting badly”. The prefix “dys” comes from Greek and means “badly”. “Calculia” comes from the Latin “calculare,” which means “to count”. The word “calculare” comes from “calculus”, which means “pebble” or one of the counters on an abacus.

The cause of dyscalculia in children is yet to be known. There have been research in many different areas, and some reasons are thought to be neurological, deficits in working memory, short term memory being disturbed or reduced, congenital or hereditary disorders.

Treatment for the learning disability can range from different options. There is software to help a student practice number recognition and simple math problems, some people have opted to treat it by not treating it all, rather focusing their talents on other areas, such as creative abilities (this is not recommended for children with dyscalculia – if there is something that can be done to help the child overcome the learning disability, then it most certainly should not be ignored).

If you would like to see if your child may have this learning disability, you can visit the Dyscalculia Test Page Here.