Caregivers must remain aware of their child’s progress at school. Some children may perform well in all subjects other than mathematics. Most parents scold and make them practice the school work at home. However, if the child cannot perform well even after practicing multiple times, the parents/caregivers should try to understand the cause. The child may be suffering from dyscalculia and requires professional help. It is best to consult a psychiatrist for diagnosis and ways to help the child learn. It will help the child manage anxiety and peer pressure. However, the caregivers must remain calm and supportive throughout the learning process.
Dyscalculia is a condition in which the child cannot understand the math concepts and fail to solve the problems. The child cannot make sense and apply the basic concepts while performing the problems, such as algebra. The symptoms may vary from person to person based on age and cognitive development stage. The common symptoms of dyscalculia are:
- The child cannot understand the basic concepts such as multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.
- The person cannot remember the basic concepts even after working on them for hours.
- The individual cannot make sense of the verbal cues.
- The child cannot remember the symbols of multiplication, division, etc.
- The person cannot explain their problems to their instructors.
- The individual cannot complete the tasks on their own. They lack behind in class and may suffer from peer pressure.
- The person with dyscalculia cannot recall the sequence of the steps.
The known causes of dyscalculia are:
- The teachers who do not help the child make a connection and apply the concepts in the mathematics equations cause the child to suffer from dyscalculia.
- The child who has never used an abacus and other ways to understand the concepts lacks behind and cannot solve the mathematical problems on their own.
- Individuals suffering from anxiety and depression are more likely to exhibit signs of dyscalculia and remain inattentive in class.
- Individuals with dyslexia are at a higher risk of suffering from dyscalculia.
- The parents must be vigilant regarding the cognitive development of the child. Children with ADHD are more likely to exhibit signs of dyscalculia.
The caregivers must help the child get professional help for a diagnosis. The psychiatrist/psychologist will ask the caregivers about the medical conditions that may have led to dyscalculia. Also, the specialist will conduct a psychological assessment to identify if the child suffering from ADHD or dyslexia correlates with the condition. Also, the specialist will seek information regarding the family history to detect the exact cause. Also, early education will help identify the reason behind the child’s condition.
The treatment that will help the child manage their condition include:
- The teachers and parents must be supportive and patient while dealing with the child.
- The caregivers should teach the basic concepts daily by using props, such as an abacus. It will help them make connections.
- The child should have time to remember and recall the information. Small segments of information can help the child make sense of the basic math concepts.
- The child should be aware of their learning abilities. Small groups of children with the same problem can exhibit support and empathy. A healthy class environment without competition and peer pressure can help manage the symptom.
- The teachers should evaluate the child’s progress without tests and assessments, as it can induce anxiety and affect the performance.
- The child should have therapy sessions where they can discuss their feelings with a psychologist to prevent further complications.
Caregivers who notice symptoms that correlate with dyscalculia should visit a psychiatrist in Rawalpindi. The specialist will help them learn ways to cope with the condition of the child and how to support them throughout to make them have a normal school life.
