A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Dyscalculia

Mathematics is a complicated and layered academic area that requires a child to grasp the basics before applying them to concepts and then build upon those concepts as they progress through school. Not only must a child build on the concepts, but there is an assumption that speed and efficiency are a direct result of one’s understanding of those fundamentals. Mathematics also requires strong spatial and reasoning skills. As a result, a child who struggles in math, may also have difficulty in other areas of life that require spatial awareness or reasoning. Examples include: understanding maps or directions; estimating distance, height, or weight; managing time or money; and using logic to solve problems.

In this blog, we will dive into understanding dyscalculia, a challenge in understanding numbers and mathematical constructs. This impairs children’s ability to apply even basic math concepts, impacting not only their academic success, but various general life skills.