Classification edit
Historically, dyscalculia has been divided into developmental and acquired forms. Developmental dyscalculia begins in early childhood, while acquired dyscalculia occurs subsequent to a cerebral trauma, such as a stroke.[1][2] Acquired dyscalculia is commonly referred to as acalculia, while the term dyscalculia typically refers to developmental disturbances in calculation. Consequently, this article will refer primarily to developmental dyscalculia, which, despite similarities in symptoms, has a different mechanism of action and requires different assessment strategies and treatment approaches compared to acalculia.[3] The term dyscalculia is also used synonymously with the terms mathematical disability and mathematical learning disability (MLD), but diverges from mathmatical difficulties in its specificity. While dyscalculia is a specific type of learning disability, the latter term simply refers to poor mathematical achievement, without specifying the underlying causes.[4]
Signs and symptoms edit
Dyscalculia generally involves difficulty both in learning and remembering mathematical facts and in executing mathematical procedures, with the latter causing more significant impairment.[5]
Causes edit
- Risk factors, triggers, genetics, virology, spread
Pathophysiology edit
Diagnosis edit
Screening edit
Management edit
The most salient means of treating and managing dyscalculia is through the use of symptom-specific interventions, typically regular reinforcement with mathematical tasks. These specific interventions vary by the presence of comorbid disorders such as ADHD and with age group, although treatment is more effective when started early. Non-symptom-specific treatments, such as tasks designed to improve working memory, are less effective in improving dyscalculic function.[6]
Prognosis edit
Although the long-term prognosis of dyscalculia has not been sufficiently examined, certain studies suggest that, while first- and second-grade children with dyscalculia show significant improvement in their arithmetic ability, their overall mathematical achievement remains poor. Additionally, 47% of children diagnosed with dyscalculia by fifth grade will continue to exhibit symptoms into early adolescence, independent of socioeconomic status, sex, comorbid disorders, and educational interventions.[7]
Epidemiology edit
Unlike other learning disabilities, which tend to be more prevalent in males than females, dyscalculia seems to manifest equally between the sexes.[8]
History edit
Society and culture edit
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Among celebrities, both actress Mary Tyler Moore and singer Cher have been professionally diagnosed with dyscalculia. Moore struggled with mathematics throughout school and was diagnosed with the disorder as an adult in 1989 while undergoing unrelated psychological assessments.[9] Cher, meanwhile, was diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyscalculia as an adult, having taken her son Chaz Bono in to be tested for the same conditions.[10] In 2020, the English singer Robbie Williams described himself as "numerically dyslexic".[11]
Dyscalculia has also been represented in popular media. In one episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation, the character of Liberty (portrayed by Sarah Barrable-Tishauer) states that she has dyscalculia.[12] In 2018, the Netflix original film Amateur depicted Terron, a dyscalculic high school basketball player.[13] Director Ryan Koo, who is not dyscalculic but underwent testing to see if he was, used various visual effects to simulate the effects of the disorder from Terron's point of view.[14]
Research edit
See also edit
- Acalculia, difficulty acquired later in life after a stroke etc.
- Ageometria, difficulty with geometry
- Approximate number system, innate ability to detect differences in magnitude without counting
- Dysgraphia, difficulty (performing) handwriting
- Dyslexia, difficulty reading
- Hypercalculia, very high ability to perform calculations, such as in some with autism
- Number sense, intuitive grasp of numbers
- Numerical cognition, the academic study of numerical and mathematical abilities
- Numerophobia, fear of numbers
References edit
- ^ Munro, John (December 2003). "Dyscalculia: A unifying concept in understanding mathematics learning disabilities". Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities. 8 (4): 25–32. doi:10.1080/19404150309546744. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ Cohen Kadosh, Roi; Walsh, Vincent (November 2007). "Dyscalculia". Current Biology. 17 (22): R946–R947. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2007.08.038. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ Ardila, Alfredo; Rosselli, Mónica (2002). "Acalculia and Dyscalculia". Neuropsychology Review. 12 (4): 179–231. doi:10.1023/A:1021343508573. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ Mazzocco, Michèle M. M. (2007). "Defining and Differentiating Mathematical Learning Disabilities and Difficulties". In Berch, Daniel B.; Mazzocco, Michèle M. M. (eds.). Why Is Math So Hard for Some Children? The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. pp. 29–48. ISBN 978-1-55766-864-6. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Butterworth, Brian (2004). "Developmental Dyscalculia". In Campbell, Jamie I.D. (ed.). Handbook of Mathematical Cognition. New York, NY: Psychology Press. pp. 455–468. ISBN 0-203-99804-9. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Haberstroh, Stefan; Schulte-Körne, Gerd (15 February 2019). "The Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyscalculia". Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. 116 (7): 107–114. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0107. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Shalev, Ruth S; Gross-Tsur, Varda (May 2001). "Developmental dyscalculia". Pediatric Neurology. 24 (5): 337–342. doi:10.1016/S0887-8994(00)00258-7. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Gross-Tsur, Varda; Manor, Orly; Shalev, Ruth S. (12 November 2008). "Developmental dyscalculia: prevalence and demographic features". Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 38 (1): 25–33. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.1996.tb15029.x. PMID 8606013. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Wollman, Jane (February 18, 1991). "Moore, smiling on the inside". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ Sng, Ryan (January 13, 2021). "Did you know Cher, Jennifer Aniston and Gwen Stefani are dyslexic? 7 Hollywood and music stars who didn't let a learning disorder get in the way of success". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "Robbie Williams: I'm numerically dyslexic". Khaleej Times. September 21, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ Preston, Jeffrey (2016). The Fantasy of Disability: Images of Loss in Popular Culture. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-315-55823-3. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Drinks, Tara (May 31, 2018). "Netflix Film 'Amateur' Breaks New Ground for Dyscalculia, but May Portray It Inaccurately". Understood.org. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ Kelly, Autumn Noel (April 13, 2018). "What is Dyscalculia? Netflix's 'Amateur' Introduces Audiences to the Learning Difference". Newsweek. Retrieved December 28, 2021.