Understanding Learning Difficulties in Maths: Dyscalculia, Dyslexia or Dyspraxia?

Book excerpt: • Why do some pupils experience maths learning difficulties? • How can you determine whether there is a specific learning difficulty such as dyscalculia, dyspraxia or dyslexia? • What teaching strategies can help overcome maths anxiety and specific maths learning difficulties? Without doubt maths is one of the most important subjects taught in schools and yet it is the one subject that can strike fear and dread in children from the very start of their education. In this book Judy Hornigold explores potential causes of maths learning difficulties and particularly the specific difficulties that learners with dyscalculia, dyslexia and/or dyspraxia experience. It considers how general maths anxiety impedes mathematical development and then examines whether this, or a more fundamental and specific difficulty with maths such as dyscalculia, is the real root of difficulties. The book then looks in detail at a wide range of strategies to help overcome general maths anxiety and more specific learning difficulties. It addresses four distinct areas - core number, reasoning, memory and visual spatial awareness - as the main areas of difficulty for learners with dyscalculia (core number and reasoning), dyslexia (memory) and dyspraxia (visual spatial awareness).