February 24, 2013
Numbers,
a nightmare? -
Parenting:
For some, it’s child’s play; for others, especially those with dyscalculia, the
very thought of math makes life miserable.
In a country where
everybody is expected to be a high-achiever in math, it comes as a surprise –
and shock – when one’s offspring has trouble with numbers. When scolding,
threats, and extra practice fail to improve the score, parents realise that
there could actually be a problem. That problem has a name – dyscalculia.
“Dyscalculia is a specific
learning disability, with respect to arithmetic,” says Dr.S.Yamuna, consultant
paediatrician and adolescent physician. Dyscalculia is suspected when a child
is unable to meet the developmental milestones in mathematics. “Children start
counting around age 4. They count from 1 to 10, and by age 5, up to 50.
(Children skip numbers while counting, if they’re taught, ahead of time) Then
come ascending and descending numbers, around 6-8 years. And if a child is
having problems with all this in class 2, it’s time to seek help,” advises
Dr.Yamuna.
Dyscalculia has a strong
genetic link (parents tend to say “my son/ daughter is weak in math, just as I
was”) and it also manifests itself outside the classroom, says Dr.Yamuna.
“These children can also have problems in social life, as it affects
time-related activities and sequential learning. As they grow older, they will
have problems with the times-tables; mathematical calculations will take much
longer. They’re also reluctant to give up using their fingers as a tool to add
or subtract,” she explains.
Diagnosis
Although the dyscalculic
brain does not understand math as it should, by rote learning and repeated
practice, the children complete assignments and do reasonably well in assessments
in the lower grades. ‘However, when arithmetic progresses, their skills falter.
Parents say “in Standard II, my child got 80 per cent; but now, in Standard VI,
it’s down to single digit marks.” Some go into denial. By Standard 9, others
would’ve beaten the child, and pushed them; only when nothing works, do the
alarm bells ring. But by then, the children would’ve faced ridicule, from
parents, siblings, peers and the school authorities. They will feel completely
unskilled in math, and their self-esteem is hugely affected.”
Remedy
Special educator and
psychologist, Krithiga Viswanathan, says that when she encounters children with
symptoms of dyscalculia, she recommends that they be assessed for the problem.
“Only clinical psychologists and trained personnel can assess the kids. Once
the diagnosis is completed, remedial classes are started. If the child is in,
say, Standard 3, we go back two grades, and start with the concepts. It’s also
important to keep in mind that if a child has trouble solving word problems,
he/she might have other learning disabilities as well.”
“The best remedy is early
detection,” agrees Dr.Yamuna. Dyscalculic children often face problems because
of the pressure to absorb 100 per cent of the syllabus. “That’s when they fall
behind very badly; remedial teachers can help here; they can be taught
differently, approaching 50 to 70 per cent of the syllabus.”
Having dyscalculia does not
mean the child’s IQ is low, says Krithiga. “They don’t have IQ problems; and
they could be very good in other things; they only have trouble understanding
arithmetic concepts,” she says. “We try and see where the problem is, and what
type of learner he/she is, before formulating remedial lessons. Typically, I
use a lot of computer based activities, as the kids don’t even realise they are
learning. It’s more a game for them, than studying, and computers are also an
excellent reinforcing medium,” Krithiga says.
Other simple ways in which
parents can help are by playing board games (ludo, snakes and ladders), besides
traditional ones like othaiya-rettaiya and palaanguzhi, says Dr.Yamuna.
“Involve the children in everyday math; ask them to count steps; skip 300
times, so that they get comfortable up to 300. For ascending and descending
numbers, tell them to skip till 25, and count backwards. Make subtraction a
family game. All this will help bonding with the child and boost his confidence
immensely.” For the board examination years, Dr.Yamuna says with all the
provisions currently available (refer box), a child who has been diagnosed with
dyscalculia can have extra support and time. And that, itself, offers hope for
anybody suffering from this little known, yet fairly common disorder…
Help during exams
Dr. Virudhagirinathan,
clinical neuropsychologist, lists the board exam provisions for children with
diagnosed learning disabilities (certified by a neuropsychological test and
respective school teachers, subject to DOE, Government of Tamil Nadu and
regional director of CBSE schools)
* 1 hour extra time and
allowance for spelling mistakes, as long as the meaning of the word is
unchanged (for e.g. kamel instead of camel)
* Exemption of second
language in case of severe disability.
* Use of calculators and
Clarke’s tables
* A scribe, if there is a
severe writing disorder
* A reader to read out
questions, for children with reading disorders.
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