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Last year in 2016, when one of our students enrolled at school, the parent sent me an email asking me to exclude the specific student from Mathematics. The student was diagnosed with Dyscalculia, and was unable to do any Math.  Not even basic operations. I was not aware that such a disorder existed, and obviously did some research about this, as it was truly the first time that I've heard about this.  Before we go into the explanation of Dyscalculia, let us first see what a learning disorder is. 

What is a learning disorder?

There are many learning disorders that makes it extremely difficult for people to learn.  Students with learning disabilities are often demotivated in schools and often frowned upon by teachers and other students.  Many of you might have heard about a reading disorder called Dyslexia, which make it difficult for people to read, and therefore makes any learning difficult.  

Dyslexia is well researched, and if you search the internet you will find a lot of information regarding this disorder.  It is important to know and realize that Dyslexia has nothing to do with a person's intellect.  If you want to learn more about Dyslexia, please watch the video below.  

Although Dyslexia causes issues with learning in general, it is something that can be overcome.  Even though a student can not learn in the normal way, there are definite ways to overcome this. With technology these days students can learn from videos, and through the wonderful invention of audio books, these students have a better way to actually complete their high school diplomas. 

I once had a student with Dyslexia.  He was brilliant in Mathematics, but could not read properly.  I used to sit with him and read everything to him during a test. Ultimately I sat with him during every single test to assist him, and he was able to pass primary school.    

He was not so lucky in High School and eventually left school without completing his high school diploma, because he did not have the needed motivation to continue. His high School teachers did not encourage him at all and demotivated him when they made him out to be lazy.  His mom phoned me in tears, after he failed Grade 9 for the second time.  I told her straight to remove him from school, and home school him, and I am glad to report that a year or so later, he was able to complete his GED and is now quite a successful young man.  

This brings me to the second disorder I want to discuss.  Dyscalculia. This Mathematics disorder is not so well known or even researched.  

Dyscalculia  "a structural disorder of mathematical abilities" caused by impairment to the parts of the brain used in mathematical calculations, without  simultaneous impairment to one's general mental abilities.

Once again, this disability has absolutely nothing to do with your mental capacity.  Some people refer to this disorder as "Math dyslexia". Many people are born with this disorder but this disorder can also appear later in life, after a stroke or a brain injury.  Dyscalculia affects the more basic skills in Math.  A person with this disorder can not do the basic arithmetic facts like 2 + 3 = 5. They will often count on their fingers to do the basic addition, and also can't differentiate between numbers.  

This however doesn't mean if you are BAD at Math, that you have Dyscalculia.   

A learning disability can really bring someone down.  If you know of someone that is affected by either of these disabilities, please encourage and motivate them not to give up.  Life is full of obstacles, but there are always a way out.  If you struggle to get past it, then go around it.  

                       

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