What Teachers Should Know People with dyscalculia have difficulty understanding numbers and learning math skills. Dyscalculia encompasses a wide range of learning disabilities related to math. Students with dyscalculia may: have difficulty learning to count or have a poor memory for numbers have trouble writing numbers, finding correct place values, and lining up equations have trouble remembering math facts be unable to follow a sequence of steps have difficulty understanding numbers, math symbols, and word problems find it hard to visualize patterns have difficulty measuring things have an exceptionally slow and difficult time solving math problems avoid games that require strategies involving math become extremely frustrated or anxious with schoolwork related to math What Teachers Can Do If you suspect a student has dyscalculia, recommend seeking an educational evaluation to a parent or guardian, an administrator, or a school counselor. Teachers can help students struggling with dyscalculia to become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Helping students understand their learning styles and using alternative approaches can enable them to achieve confidence and success in math. Extra math support in school and tutors outside the classroom can help students with dyscalculia focus on specific learning difficulties. Reinforcing math facts and practicing new skills can help make understanding math concepts easier. Other strategies for inside and outside the classroom include: giving extra time to work on math-related assignments using graph paper for students who have difficulty organizing problems on paper planning and organizing students' approach to math problems using estimating as a way to approach solving math problems using objects and visuals to help solve problems starting with concrete examples before moving to harder, more abstract concepts explaining math concepts and terms clearly and encouraging students to ask questions providing a quiet place to work with few distractions Back to Articles Related Articles 504 Education Plans If your child has special needs in the classroom, he or she may be eligible for a government-supported learning plan. Read More My Child Is Struggling in School. How Can I Help? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Learning Problems Having a learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. The trick will be figuring out how you learn best. Read More Homework Help Writing a report? Studying for a test? Having problems at school? Get tips and advice. Read More Homework Help Writing a report? Studying for a test? Having problems at school? Get tips and advice. Read More Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Some kids may be eligible for individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge. Understanding how to access these services can help you be an effective advocate for your child. Read More Kids With Special Needs Lots of kids have special needs. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.