The 6 Types of Dyscalculia (And Indicators to Detect Them)

Every day we use mathematics in daily activities, they are essential to maintain our personal economy and for many of our daily tasks. Shopping at the supermarket, splitting the bill among friends at a bar or knowing what quantities to use to make a cake; Numbers are present in our daily lives.

There are people who suffer from dyscalculia. It could be said that it is similar to dyslexia, but instead of referring to language, it has to do with mathematics and calculation. Basically, when we talk about dyscalculia, we refer to a whole variety of problems related to the difficulty of learning mathematics.

It is important to differentiate what dyscalculia really is, a learning disorder, from what is the mere difficulty in learning and managing mathematical and calculation skills. In this article we will expand on what dyscalculia is and how many different ways it can present, learning to identify each of them.

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand, learn, and perform mathematical tasks. Often referred to as “math dyslexia,” dyscalculia can impact various aspects of daily life, making tasks such as telling time, budgeting, or measuring difficult. While most people are familiar with general dyscalculia, there are actually several types of this condition. In this article, we’ll explore the six types of dyscalculia, their unique characteristics, and the indicators to detect them.

What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a neurological condition that makes it challenging for individuals to grasp number-based concepts. It can affect memory and the ability to process quantitative information. People with dyscalculia struggle with various mathematical tasks, including basic arithmetic, understanding number patterns, and solving complex problems. Dyscalculia is a lifelong condition that can influence children and adults alike.

Unlike dyslexia, which primarily impacts reading and language processing, dyscalculia is specifically related to mathematical reasoning and number manipulation. It’s important to note that individuals with dyscalculia often possess average or even above-average intelligence, making their struggles with math particularly frustrating.

As we have commented, dyscalculia is part of the learning disorders, specifically defined as difficulty in learning mathematics. It is a neurological condition that affects the neural connections that process numerical language. Therefore, affected people have difficulties understanding mathematics and tasks related to it.

Normally, this condition is identified during childhood, with the subject of mathematics being a very indispensable educational block during the years of schooling. Boys and girls who suffer from dyscalculia have confusion with numbers and signs and have difficulties carrying out mental calculations or geometric abstractions. It is estimated that this disorder occurs in 4.5% of school-going boys and girls, with a similar distribution between boys and girls.

It is difficult to diagnose it because mathematics education is usually difficult for many boys and girls and teaching staff may think that what dyscalculia is is a simple difficulty or a lack of desire to learn. Therefore, it is essential to know how dyscalculia can present and what can be done to help boys and girls who suffer from it overcome these difficulties or learn to live with them.

The 6 Types of Dyscalculia

1. Verbal Dyscalculia

Verbal dyscalculia is characterized by difficulty understanding and processing math concepts through spoken language. Individuals with this type of dyscalculia have trouble recalling math facts, verbalizing mathematical processes, and explaining how to solve problems. They may also struggle to understand verbal instructions related to math.

Indicators of Verbal Dyscalculia:

• Difficulty understanding math-related terms and instructions.
• Trouble explaining mathematical steps.
• Inability to memorize number-related facts (such as multiplication tables).
• Difficulty following spoken math lessons or instructions.

2. Linguistic Dyscalculia

Linguistic dyscalculia is a form of math difficulty that occurs due to issues with language processing. People with linguistic dyscalculia may struggle with reading mathematical symbols, understanding written math problems, and interpreting written instructions.

Indicators of Linguistic Dyscalculia:

• Difficulty reading math problems or interpreting mathematical symbols.
• Inability to understand written math instructions or written word problems.
• Trouble identifying the structure of mathematical problems when reading them.
• Poor understanding of mathematical language, such as “greater than,” “less than,” or “equal to.”

3. Spatial Dyscalculia

Spatial dyscalculia involves difficulty understanding spatial relationships, which can make it hard to visualize numbers, shapes, and spatial reasoning. People with spatial dyscalculia often have trouble with geometry, graphs, and other spatially organized math problems.

Indicators of Spatial Dyscalculia:

• Difficulty reading maps, charts, or diagrams.
• Trouble understanding the concept of shapes and geometry.
• Struggles with tasks that require spatial reasoning, such as estimating distances or area.
• Inability to properly align numbers or shapes in problems.

4. Memory Dyscalculia

Memory dyscalculia involves difficulties with short-term and working memory, especially in relation to math. People with this type of dyscalculia have trouble remembering number sequences, math formulas, or steps in multi-step problems.

Indicators of Memory Dyscalculia:

• Forgetting math facts, even after repeated practice.
• Difficulty recalling number sequences, such as dates or phone numbers.
• Inability to recall previously learned math concepts or formulas.
• Difficulty remembering steps in complex calculations or math operations.

5. Processing Dyscalculia

Processing dyscalculia refers to the inability to process mathematical information quickly and efficiently. People with processing dyscalculia may take longer to understand math problems, process numerical information, or perform calculations.

Indicators of Processing Dyscalculia:

• Slow processing speed when working with numbers or math problems.
• Difficulty solving problems within a time limit.
• Struggles with multi-step problems, requiring more time to complete than peers.
• Inability to apply previously learned math concepts to new problems.

6. Visual Dyscalculia

Visual dyscalculia involves difficulty with visualizing numbers and their relationships. People with this type of dyscalculia often have trouble reading or interpreting numbers on a page, making it difficult to organize math problems in a meaningful way.

Indicators of Visual Dyscalculia:

• Struggling to recognize numbers and math symbols.
• Difficulty distinguishing between similar numbers or symbols (e.g., 6 vs. 9).
• Trouble visualizing or representing numbers in a structured way (e.g., through charts, graphs, or drawings).
• Problems aligning numbers in columns for addition, subtraction, or multiplication.

Indicators to detect it

As we have previously mentioned, it is important to distinguish those boys and girls who have difficulties with calculations and numbers from those who have dyscalculia as such. For these cases, it is very important to develop a diagnosis of the issue in time to be able to take the relevant educational measures.

In addition, dyscalculia must also be differentiated from acalculia. Acalculia is a disorder related to the ability to calculate that is not determined by learning difficulties or educational development, but by a brain injury which can occur even during adulthood.

The indicators of dyscalculia can vary depending on the type, but there are some common signs that may point to this condition. Early detection is crucial for providing appropriate interventions and support. Some general indicators to watch for include:

1. Difficulties in numerical writing

When learning to write numbers, boys and girls with dyscalculia experience difficulties writing them correctly, doing so backwards or with disconnected strokes, without being able to represent the numbers properly.

2. Many difficulties in sequential series or numerical classifications

Sequential series or numerical classifications are ordered sequences of numbers with a link to each other; numbers arranged according to a pattern or formation rule. For example, the most basic sequential series is counting the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4… in a successive and orderly manner, which follows an increasing pattern. Boys and girls with dyscalculia experience many difficulties in understanding these series and associating them with a common pattern.

3. Reasoning problems

Reasoning problems in people with dyscalculia problems mainly affect the resolution of mathematical problems that require a specific understanding of numbers, quantities or calculations.

4. Difficulties with numbers in general

These difficulties refer to very varied problems regarding the identification and understanding of numbers:

• Difficulties in identifying them that generate doubts or errors when naming or writing them.
• Confusions between similar graphs (for example, 3 and 8; 4 and 7…).
• Confusions between mathematical signs (confusing addition with subtraction or vice versa, for example), which can generate inversion, rotation or transposition errors when writing or naming them.
• Problems in the interpretation of numerical sentences.
• Difficulties in operational thoughts, mental calculation, order, quantities…
• Difficulties in spatiotemporal coordination.
• Difficulties understanding concepts such as position or size.
• Great difficulty remembering or memorizing rules, formulas or mathematical sequences such as multiplication tables.

If you suspect dyscalculia, it’s important to seek professional evaluation. A psychologist, educational specialist, or other trained professional can diagnose the condition through a series of tests and assessments.

FAQs About Dyscalculia

What is dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand, learn, and perform mathematical tasks. It can impact various aspects of daily life, such as budgeting, measuring, and telling time.

What are the types of dyscalculia?

There are six types of dyscalculia: verbal dyscalculia, linguistic dyscalculia, spatial dyscalculia, memory dyscalculia, processing dyscalculia, and visual dyscalculia. Each type has different symptoms and challenges related to learning and processing math.

How can dyscalculia be diagnosed?

Dyscalculia can be diagnosed through a series of tests conducted by a psychologist, educator, or other professional. These tests assess a person’s math abilities, memory, processing speed, and other cognitive functions related to math.

Can dyscalculia be treated?

While dyscalculia cannot be “cured,” it can be managed through appropriate interventions. These may include specialized tutoring, alternative teaching strategies, and accommodations such as extra time on math assignments and exams.

How can I help my child with dyscalculia?

To help a child with dyscalculia, provide a supportive learning environment, use visual aids, break down complex tasks into smaller steps, and encourage practice in a low-stress setting. Working with a trained tutor or specialist can also be beneficial.