"Dyscalculia No More"

Do you suspect your child may have dyscalculia? While there is no definitive form of the learning disability (a simple definition is dyslexia with math), there are simple tests you can do to determine if your child may suffer from dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia Test

Do this simple test for dyscalculia with your child to see if your child may have the math and dyslexia learning disability. (Certain questions may be age appropriate – make sure you know at what level of math skills your child should be at before determining whether the question is applicable for your child. For example, a 1st grader would not know the difference between even and odd numbers yet. So don’t use that question in your test.)

• Write down a series of numbers. Ask your child to copy them. Does your child write them in the correct order?
• Draw a picture of a square, triangle and circle. Ask your child to name them. Does your child name them correctly?
• On a piece of paper, write down several numbers. Be sure to include both even and odd numbers. Ask your child to point to the even numbers, and then the odd numbers. (Age appropriate)
• Ask your child to tell you what time it is. (Using an analog clock)
• Get 10 pennies. Give your child 5, and you take 5. Ask your child to tell you how many they have in fraction terms. (Example, they have 1/2 of the pennies.)
• Ask your child if they like math, and if they feel comfortable with it.This is a simple test, but your child’s answer will determine whether or not they have anxiety about math.

If your child had any difficulty in answering the questions above correctly, then your child may struggle with dyscalculia in children. While this test is not definitive to determine if your child’s learning disability is related to math and dyslexia, it gives you a starting point.

If you suspect your child may have dyscalculia, talk to his/her teacher. They can help you decide which direction to go.

You can use math worksheets for children with dyscalculia to help your child feel more confident.

Another great resource you can use is the Dyscalculia Assessment Test. It will help you identify the degree of dyscalculia your child has, and will provide you with a step by step blue print with a game plan on how to proceed with your child.

You can get more information on the Dyscalculia Assessment here: Dyscalculia Assessment Test

Math software games are great for children with dyscalculia, because they don’t really understand that what they are actually doing is learning. In their minds, they are playing games – and playing doesn’t equate to learning to a child. Here’s a great software game site you can visit: Success In Math