lets-talk-dyscalculia

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Hey so I'm 19 and in University and I haven't done any actual math in like two years now but growing up I struggled with basically all the sings of dyscalculia. I couldn't properly catch balls bcs my head couldn't figure out the distance. Math in general was an impossible task for me. I couldn't read the clock until I was thirteen, I can't remember birthdays, adresses, dates and times. I would figure out a math problem one minute and totally forget the whole process the next. 1/?

I hadn’t even heard of the concept of dyscalculia until yesterday so I basically grew up thinking I’m somehow dumber than anyone else, even though I was a ‘gifted kid’ in other areas like language and music. So when I read about it yesterday I felt like suddenly it all made sense and I got really emotional. I talked about it with my mum and she was like, well, duh?! She had known all this time but knowing that there was no help programm like for dyslexia she thought it wouldn’t change 2/?

anything and just made me work twice as hard. She not being the most understanding and patient person made me feel like it was my fault when I forgot at which step I was mid-equation. I know she meant well and this is just her style of education but it really had a huge effect on my sense of self worth. Being ashamed all the time for forgetting things, not being able to tell the time and underperforming at math. When I found out I almost cried bcs I feel like knowing this might have 3/? 

 helped me accept my weaknesses instead of feeling like I’m just stupid all the time. And I still struggle with both numbers and the effect not knowing had on my self worth all the time. I kinda feel betrayed for my self worth? Idk this got a lot longer than I planned and I just wanted to share my feelings with people who can relate, bcs my family can’t and they think I’m irrational for wanting to know what’s going on with my brain 4/4 

Response: you are totally not irrational for wanting to understand more about your brain, its exactly why I started this blog when I was 15.  I dont agree with everything your mom did, but i went to one of the most supportive highschools I could have dreamed of and I still struggled with the feelings you are. She isnt wrong though, there isnt a lot of support offered to people with dyscalculia, and the support I was given actually made things worse. like those Kumon and Mathnasium places

knowing may have helped you accept yourself in the past, or it may not have changed anything. there isnt any way of knowing now. now that you do know its important to try to work to accept yourself for who you are. this goes for people without disabilities too, being weaker than other people in some areas does not mean you are dumber than them, or that you dont work as hard as they do. people naturally have different strengths and weaknesses school tends to amplify them because of the way they are structured and grading works.  

you are in University, you might want to find out if your school has a disabilities services office and go meet with a counselor find out if you want to get tested and officially diagnosed. I personally find it really helpful to be able to look through the diagnoses papers because it explains a lot about how my brain functions, both strengths and weaknesses. its really validating. it doesnt just put a stamp that says “dyscalculia” they really look at how your brain works.

you arent alone in this, even with my diagnoses I find myself having to remind myself that its not my fault im not doing better. you can always message this blog (sorry for the delayed reply, I have had the flu) as a 20yr old in University I can relate to a lot of stuff you may be facing at school, and there are followers of all ages who im sure will have things to add and would love to be there for you. 

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Hello!! I am the anon that a while ago said it was suffering with the struggle of not having any base of maths because I was given the answer. I also mentioned I was going to take a test to try to go to another school and I passed!! I scored more points in maths than in linguistics (?????) it was a shook to everyone including me 😂

Thats amazing!!! Good for you!! Im very happy for you!

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

I keep seeing other people with dyscalculia saying they have trouble with analogue clocks but I actually find the 24 hour clock harder because it’s annoying to have to spend about five minutes trying to subtract two from everything. Is this something anyone else has problems with?

I personally, have never actually spent much time trying to understand how they work. But maybe others out there have could let this anon know about their experiances with 24 hr clocks

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

my brain doesn't switch numbers around but it does take me minutes upon minutes of processing to realize things like inequality signs. i can't tell time and i cant find out how much time has passed from something like 4:40-5:15. i can't connect formulas or concepts with math problems i am given even if im provided an example because idk how the numbers are supposed to just?? switch out??? but my counselor told me that bc my brain doesn't switch numbers i don't have dyscalculia...

Your councelor is wrong. Disabilities arent that black and white, peoples symptoms are different and can manifest differently. Without actually going through the testing no one should be telling you " oh you dont have this stereotypical symptoms so you cant have that disability." Brains arent that simple. You should totally pursue a diagnoses especially if your math teacher recommended it

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

I think I might have dyscalculia because I match a lot of the symptoms I’ve read about online. I’ve spent hours studying math just so I can pass each test, much to the detriment of all my other subjects. Despite this, I feel like I’m grasping at straws and just trying to justify why I’m so bad at math to make myself feel better. Do you know who I should see to get a diagnostic test so I can find out whether or not I actually have dyscalculia? Thanks~

You could talk the councelor at your school, or your physician. Both should know of someone to do the testing, or can find out for you.

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

omg are you asian? bc its nice to see a fellow asian with dyscalculia :3

I am not im jewish but a while back i got a submission from someone who was which is probably what you saw. :)

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

is it common to learn things really quick in elementary school (basic math) but then slow down as you get older and have trouble with everything? i can't do math in my head, I never could, I still count on my fingers, I have to write out division and multiplication problems for even "simple" problems like 20 divided by 2, etc. and I can't connect math concepts. I'll see the formula in my notes and the example but i have no idea how to use that formula with my given math problems.

my brain doesn't switch numbers around but it does take me minutes upon minutes of processing to realize things like inequality signs. i can't tell time and i cant find out how much time has passed from something like 4:40-5:15. i can't connect formulas or concepts with math problems i am given even if im provided an example because idk how the numbers are supposed to just?? switch out??? but my counselor told me that bc my brain doesn't switch numbers i don't have dyscalculia... 

im the anon who said my counselor said i don't have dyscalculia and i want to clarify: my math teacher recommended I should be tested but my counselor disagrees. i haven't been tested.

Response: it sounds like you have really figured out where your strengths and weaknesses are. from my view and experience it definitely sounds like there is something going on. I certainly have all these problems so its not unlikely you have a math related disability. If your math teacher thinks you should be tested you should be. Your counselor is not working with you in the classroom and therefor doesnt actually have experience with the way your brain works or your academic struggles. Has your math teacher talked with the counselor? do not let that counselor stop you from the diagnoses you need. Your math teacher is on your side which is a large help. Have your math teacher talk with your parents and the counselor and dont give up on pursuing the diagnoses.

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Hello, I'v just found this space so i'm new here im a 55 year old female not diagnosed with anything yet but at present undergoing assessment with a psychologist as i think "No I actually now know that i am adhd and then some :)" Its the "then some" im trying to discover. please can someone tell me does dyscalculia have any face recognition problems? thank you

people with dyscalculia can have facial recognition difficulty, but not always. good luck with the assessment!

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

I have a huge problem. I was diagnosed with dyscalculia when I was about 7 and since then I receive a lot of help and support. But because of this I have a really, really poor "base" of simple maths, because my teachers used to give me answers of the exams and sometimes they said "oh, you don't need to do this homework" and I didn't do it because I thought it was fine. Now I'm struggling because I don't know absolutely nothing and I need to pass on a exam and I think I'll not. What can I do?

well, my response isn't great. I personally have been in similar situations. The fact is sometimes you can't learn everything on time. this may sound super negative and I hope you don't take it that way. But one of the best things I learned about myself is that failure is going to happen. sometimes it's inevitable and accepting that relieves a lot of stress, pressure, and self-blame.

the same thing happened to me my senior year of high school I was given a B in algebra 2 but rarely had to actually attend class. it's really biting my back in college.

in terms of this exam, do what you can but know your limits. if you conclude you won't pass it's not the end of the world. in the long term, I would suggest getting a tutor and working with them to learn the things you think you lack. 

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

I can't believe I just found this dog. Bless you. I was diagnosed with dyscalculia last year, along with autism spectrum disorder and symptoms of OCD. I graduated with grade 5 math skills, and in university I'm finding it's a real struggle. I took one math class before I had to give up, but i have to take it to graduate. Any tips for studying/retaining math related information? I struggle a lot with visual processing and every traditional studying method i've tried hasn't worked.

Im glad this blog helps you! I too am struggling through my math requirement in University right now. for me, taking notes in math isn't as helpful as actually doing math problems, and I practically lived at the math tutoring center last semester. you should definitely utilize the things your university offers. the tutoring center or if you can afford it, a personal tutor (math/science students often hang up fliers).

in terms of visual processing, I haven't figured out how to deal with that specifically. maybe write out the math stuff instead of using numbers. 1+1=2 becomes “one plus one equals two”. I even color code those words, numbers: red actions: blue. 

Ummm other techniques.... I just repeat in my head that is doesn't matter if I get a lower grade,  I just have to pass. I will have someone help me look over how things are graded and find out what grades I have to get on homework, midterms, and finals, what sections I know I will fail and calculate what grades I have to get in order to pass. it relieves the pressure on my weakest sections. 

you may want to consider meeting with an educational therapist who focuses on learning disabilities, they know a lot of decent techniques to help you work around various disabilities. I wish I could offer better advice, but I have taken 5 semesters of math now, and I only need one. so I'm still trying to figure out how to get me through.

I wish you the best of luck. feel free to message me about anything. hope this helped

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Any tips and tricks to what I, as a student, can do to accommodate my own dyscalculia? What happened to the website btw?

the website is up, but im, not a great writer so it's been taking some time to build content. I have been focusing most on applying to speak at conferences. my first one will be in October and man am I nervous. talkdisabilities.com 

the most important thing for you to do is to be aware of yourself and how you learn. stay true to the things you know about yourself. I keep a basic calculator on me for class and take as many notes as possible.

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Thank you so much for the advice! (I was the last question you answered) I haven't spoken with my teacher but my mum always gave me letters to give to him so I didn't have to speak with him. They also have called each other but it seems like he often forgets about my dyscalculia :/ I soon have to go a remedial teaching for the first time and I hope they can help a little about my teacher problem. Thanks again :)

I'm glad I helped! It may help to speak to the teacher directly, if anything to get practice for college. I also find teachers can understand better when they hear about the emotional affect directly from you. Its great your mom does that for you though.

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

hi, I'm sort of depressed because I've dyscalculia. No one understands that I can't count till 40 without getting confused. Or that I don't know what time it is etc. I get really sad because people say I'm just dumb. But if they only knew that I worked so hard.. and it's still not enough.. my teacher also sort of made fun of me in front of the class. & since then my anxiety got worse. I already cry if strangers ask me stuff with digits in it. I don't know what to do :(

Thats so tough im sorry youre having to go through this, with what sounds like little support. Unfortunately I haven't got a magic solution, I have been through what you're going through now. Eventually I was given a diagnoses and found people that support me, most of them with disabilities of their own. As for the teacher humiliating you, that is something I struggled with through high school it happens far too much and it's why I spent many years hating math and having really bad anxiety pertaining to it. In college the classes are bigger so it happens less. I have also gotten good and simply saying I have a disability which generally shuts people up. But it doesn't help you in the moment and for that i'm so sorry. I wonder if you have spoken to the teacher? Sometimes they don't realize how hurtful jokes can be. As for strangers asking you things I have developed a few little tricks. When asked about the time I simply say my phone is dead or off or I show them the screen so I haven't got to read the numbers. When asked about money or having to pay for something I always round up. I pay with larger bills, I horde the change then give it to my mom to take to the bank for bigger notes. That helps. I also pretend to be scatterbrained, I pretend I don't bother learning when a class ends if someone asks me how much time is left in class even if i have tried to learn it. For some dumb reason being a bad student is more acceptable that working hard but still struggling at something. I have lied before and said I didn't feel like doing homework when I had actually spent hours on it. Anyway i'm so sorry you're in the situation you're in. I've been there it's miserable i can only hope I have helped a little. It won't be forever. Message me anytime.

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

I'm sorry to bother you, especially if you are asked this a lot, but how does one with a learning disability accept themselves? I have dyslexia (I don't know what level of it though....) and because of it I have anxiety and I don't know how to fully accept it. I'm in therapy and have been on and off for years, but it hasn't really helped even though I've been open.... You can answer privetly if you want too

Dont apologize, its what im here for!! For me I think the best way i was able to accept it is recognize that everyone's brains has strengths and weaknesses. From an evolutionary standpoint (learned this in my psych class) we evolved to have different strengths so when we were living in caves we would develop different skills to help the tribe. The way our societies have developed make our environments less accommodating. The only reason dyslexia or dyscalculia are seen as disabilities is because our society demands we can read or count. Whereas if you can't draw it doesnt matter. Its about perceptionand demand.Your brain makes it hard to read but that might mean you have an affinity to something else, another skill or interest. Your brain wouldn't be without the good and the bad.I also realized that all my self hate about my brain was because of how others perceived it, and how our society and school system responds to my disability. Try to remove others view of you from the way you think about your brain. Think about all the good things it can do, what do you love about your personality, what are you good at, what makes you an awesome person? None of it would be that way without your brain, and by extension without your disability. Think about how having a disability makes you a better person, maybe more understanding and kind to others who struggle with a skill?I hope this helped, feel free to message me anytime. If you wanna chat i can be a friendly ear :)

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Another reminder that “Asians are good at math” myth isn’t just harmful for various reasons, it also hurts Asians who have dyscalculia and it may prevent them from getting proper recognition and diagnosis of their problem, and low self esteem. Also, as an Asian with dyscalculia who’s lived in the non Western part of the world, I also feel the need to mention that LDs are superbly unrecognized and undiagnosed in a lot of these places because people think it doesn’t fucking exist, shout out to all my asians in asia who struggle with serious discrimination and loss of opportunities bc of it y'all are strong.

Ok I just wanted to complain a bit that’s all have a good day i’m so grateful this space exists

[lets-talk-dyscalculia]

Follow up from the optometrist question awhile back. I'm doing much better at the things I first struggled with, but keeping numbers straight is incredibly hard! I was having a rough day with math and started crying in front of everyone and they were surprisingly supportive and willing to help out when I explained my situation. It really took me by surprise that they're willing to accommodate my dyscalculia in the work place. There is hope out there for people like us!

thank you so much for letting me know what happened! I rarely find out from people how things go after they message me. 

Im sorry you were having a rough time, but the fact that you're coworkers were so supportive through that experience is fantastic. this makes me so happy because it also proves that even when there are things that affect our disability in a career its still possible to achieve your goals. 

I have in my experience encountered more people who are supportive or neutral to my disabilities than people who are ignorant and mean spirited about it. you just got to give people the chance. Im so happy things are working out for you.