Is dyscalcula more common than dyslexia - how can I find out whether I have this?

Question

I think numbers look more like each other than letters do, I often find that I get a 3 mixed for a 5 or an 8 or a 6 for a 9. I guess it would be more difficult to diagnose if you weren't looking for it, as you can see wrong spelling but not someone getting numbers confused.

Answer 1

No - dyslexia is believe to effect as many as 17% of the population http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia#Facts_and_statistics vs 5% of population for dyscalculia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalcula It is possible from what you are saying you do suffer from dyscalculia but I would see a professional in order to get a true diagnosis. The symptoms for dyscalculia can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalcula#Potential_symptoms You can find places for support from the links at the wikipedia website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalcula#External_links

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

It is becoming more common as people are finding out what it is. I often mistake a 2 for a 6, or the other way round. (when written- the 2 is with a loop). It is not as common as dyslexia yet, however it is swiftly catching up. There are tests you can do to help, but unless you are in education (like at school, college or Uni), there is not a lot of support out there for you. Even if you are at school, an LSA may not be assigned to you, depends on the severity of the dyscalcula. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

As a dyslexic I would have to agree with Mel W the symptoms that you describe is more related to dyslexia than dyscalcula that is more of an issue where solving problems are concerned. When my youngest daughter was younger she would transpose numbers as well as letters if you asked her what 24+24= instead of putting 48 she would put 84 that is one reason that she's allowed to answer questions on a test verbally so that she doesn't have to worry about transposing either letters or numbers. She dictates her answers to a teacher who than writes down verbatim what she says. If you think that you have a learning disability than you should have your parents and your principal as for an evaluation, That will help you to find out if it's dyslexia or dyscalcula either one can be dealt with. My daughter is doing very well in school and I've learned to over come it with a lot of help and practice. Although I have to be sure to use the spell check on the computer.

Answer 4

First, you may need to have your eyes examined. Perhaps you have problem with your vision, and glasses will correct the problem.

Second, what you are describing is a symptom of dyslexia. The symbols themselves appear differently than they are printed.

Third, "dyscalculia" relates more to the ability to organize time, sequencing the order of events, and other thought processes related to calculating, and solving problems. People with dyscalculia will often change operations in the middle of a math computation, for example. They have a great deal of difficulty doing "mental" math; they must write out even simple calculations.

If you are concerned that you may have a learning disability talk with your family doctor, and get a referral to an educational psychologist, or developmental psychologist who can do psycho-educational evaluation.

Answer 5

The word ‘dyslexia’ means ‘difficulty with words or language’, and is frequently used to refer to a child — or adult — who seems much brighter than what his reading and written work suggest. The symptoms or signs below indicate that a child has dyslexia and therefore needs help: Signs are as Follows: (1) Directional Confusion (2)Sequencing Difficulties (3)Difficulties with Little Words (4)Bizzare Reading and Spelling (5)Late talking or immature Speech (6)Difficulties with Math (7)Makes up a story, based on the illustrations, which bears no relation to the text. (8)Reads very slowly and hesitantly. (9)Loses orientation on a line or page while reading, missing lines or reading previously-read lines again. (10)Reads aloud hesitantly, word by word, monotonously. (11)Tries to sound the letters of the word, but is then unable to say the correct word. For example, sounds the letters ‘c-a-t’ but then says cold. (12)Mispronounces words, or puts stress on the wrong syllables. (13) Reads only in the present tense although the text is in the past. (14)Foreshortens words, for example ‘portion’ for proportion. (15) Substitutes another word of similar meaning, for example dog for pup. (16)Omits prefixes, omits suffixes or adds suffixes. (17)Reads with poor comprehension, due to spending so much energy trying to read the words. (18)Remembers little of what he reads. (19)Spells words as they sound, for example ‘rite’ for right. (20)Cannot write or match the appropriate letter when given the sound. (21)Often ignores punctuation. He may omit full stops or commas and fail to see the need for capital letters. (22) Poor at copying from the board. (23)Has trouble attaching names to things and people.