Why Does My Child Have Difficulties With Numbers?

Does your child have difficulties with estimating things (e.g., how long something takes)?

Does your child have difficulties with understanding graphs and charts (visual-spatial concepts)?

Does your child have difficulties with learning basic math (e.g., addition, subtraction, and multiplication)?

Does your child have difficulties with linking a number (2) to its corresponding word (two)?

Does your child have difficulties with understanding math words?

Does your child have difficulties with counting money or making change?

Does your child have difficulties with remembering phone numbers or ZIP codes?

Does your child have difficulties with understanding fractions?

Does your child have difficulties with telling time or reading clocks?

Based on your answers, it seems unlikely that your child has a significant problem with numbers. It’s normal for all kids to have trouble with math from time to time. Also, many children think of math as their least favorite subject in school. However, for some kids the troubles with math go beyond simply disliking the subject. These kids have more struggles than other kids the same age. Kids with mathematic disorder, also called dyscalculia, may lose track when counting. They may continue to count on their fingers even after kids their age have stopped doing it. They don’t have a basic understanding of numbers, and they may become anxious when thinking about numbers or math homework.

Based on your answers, your child may be displaying some difficulties with numbers. It’s normal for kids to struggle with math sometimes, however, when your child shows a serious, long-lasting problem with even basic math, it may be a sign of mathematics disorder (dyscalculia). It may be useful to plan a visit to a mental health professional to rule out vision or hearing problems that may affect his learning performance. Besides, it may be important to talk with the child’s math teacher, but also the other teachers to understand if your child has difficulties in other areas as well. Only by getting a thorough evaluation, you will know for sure if your child has a mathematics disorder or not.

Unfortunately, your child is displaying various symptoms typically seen among individuals who have mathematics disorder. It is recommended to seek medical support. Treatment for this kind of problem usually consists of specially designed teaching plans, games to learn math, and practicing math skills more often than other students. You may get your child an experienced math tutor. Besides, make sure your child has the right tools at home, like a nice calculator (that the child picked himself), erasers, and graph paper. Using music to teach math may also help, as well as playing math games on the computer.