Does a math disorder even exist?

Because I strongly feel that I have some kind of math dyslexia or other problem in my brain when it comes to math.

All my life I've had trouble with math. When I was 4 I took a test and I was "beyond my years" smart in every single subject except math. I was pretty much retarded in that area. And it remains that way even now. I graduated high school with a 3.8 magna cum laude, and I go to college and can get A's in everything with relative ease.

But for some reason, I just cannot do math at all. I really really try (when in other subjects I don't need to try at all), but I just cannot compute anything. In college one of the requirements is remedial math, Math 100. I've taken this course 3 times now and I've been with tutors, took extensive notes, read the book, took practice exams, and still, I can't get any grade higher than an "D-."

Anyway, this is extremely depressing me, to the point of suicide. I cannot graduate college bc I cannot pass that class (you need at least a C for it to count). My life is at a standstill. I feel that I am worthless bc I cannot do math which to everybody else is no problem at all.

If anybody knows anything about a math disorder existing, I'd really like to hear about it.

Yes, Paine, there is a math disorder called dyscalculia (math dyslexia). I've had the same problem all my life. I can't do anything with numbers unless I use a calculator. I always thought it was "me". But I found out it is a learning disability. I read where it is more common in females. Check this website out dyscalculia.org. It has loads of information on this disorder. Good luck, Robin.

Thank you so much for that!

It's such a relief to know that such a thing exists. I've always thought something is definitely wrong with me, and that it's much more than just a math mental block. It's so nice to know that I'm not the only person in the world who has this level of issues with math.

I guess now all I have to do is somehow try to see if I really do have dyscalculia. If I can get it diagnosed and if treatment exists for it, that would be excellent. Even if I just get it diagnosed and there is no treatment for it, at least that might help legitimize my problem and maybe even get me out of my Math 100 requirement. Anyway, thanks again, you've made my day.

Does a math disorder even exist?

Because I strongly feel that I have some kind of math dyslexia or other problem in my brain when it comes to math.

All my life I've had trouble with math. When I was 4 I took a test and I was "beyond my years" smart in every single subject except math. I was pretty much retarded in that area. And it remains that way even now. I graduated high school with a 3.8 magna cum laude, and I go to college and can get A's in everything with relative ease.

But for some reason, I just cannot do math at all. I really really try (when in other subjects I don't need to try at all), but I just cannot compute anything. In college one of the requirements is remedial math, Math 100. I've taken this course 3 times now and I've been with tutors, took extensive notes, read the book, took practice exams, and still, I can't get any grade higher than an "D-."

Anyway, this is extremely depressing me, to the point of suicide. I cannot graduate college bc I cannot pass that class (you need at least a C for it to count). My life is at a standstill. I feel that I am worthless bc I cannot do math which to everybody else is no problem at all.

If anybody knows anything about a math disorder existing, I'd really like to hear about it.

Paine:

:wave: I know that when I was going through my undergrad years math for me was a trip. Fourtuantely, I got a better understanding of math by conceptualizing math problems using manipulatives (hands on). Basically, I had to analyze the problems and break it down more, put my anxiety aside and attempt to get more rest.
:nono: Whatever you do, don't give in or give up. I read some where that problems with math corespond with the lack of rest.-I guess there is some validity to the article I read. Hang in there! :bouncing:

You are very welcomed, Paine. Good luck on getting excused from math class. Robin

I discovered that I have dyslexia, but didn't find that out until I was in my early 30's. Finding this out explained A LOT. I had a hard time learning to read when I was in grade 1. I lagged behind and the teacher would come to my house and tutor me. I've always had trouble with numbers, only I didn't realize it was a learning disability. I just thought I was stupid when it came to numbers. I loved physics in high school, but it was my down fall. I just couldn't comprehend those huge numbers that physics deals with; or the complex formulas.

Now that I know of my problem, I am able to compensate for it. I learned to calculate things a different way (left to right instead of right to left), which has helped. At work when having to do a math calculation, I always get someone to double check it with me.

There is hope for you :) Before I went back to school for the job I'm in now, I used to work as a secretary and part of the job involved book keeping. It wasn't easy, but I managed. I spent a bit more time calculating things out than someone else would have without a learning disability, but I managed to do them right :) So just because you have a math problem, doesn't mean that you are excluded from jobs that involve math.

Does a math disorder even exist?

Because I strongly feel that I have some kind of math dyslexia or other problem in my brain when it comes to math.

All my life I've had trouble with math. When I was 4 I took a test and I was "beyond my years" smart in every single subject except math. I was pretty much retarded in that area. And it remains that way even now. I graduated high school with a 3.8 magna cum laude, and I go to college and can get A's in everything with relative ease.

But for some reason, I just cannot do math at all. I really really try (when in other subjects I don't need to try at all), but I just cannot compute anything. In college one of the requirements is remedial math, Math 100. I've taken this course 3 times now and I've been with tutors, took extensive notes, read the book, took practice exams, and still, I can't get any grade higher than an "D-."

Anyway, this is extremely depressing me, to the point of suicide. I cannot graduate college bc I cannot pass that class (you need at least a C for it to count). My life is at a standstill. I feel that I am worthless bc I cannot do math which to everybody else is no problem at all.

If anybody knows anything about a math disorder existing, I'd really like to hear about it.

I am so happy I found this thread. I have ALWAYS had a problem with all forms of math, especially algebra. I always felt that the numbers, letters, etc. just looked all jumbled up, making no sense to me. EVen after being explained in full detail to me, equations made no sense. I felt as if though I had the mathematic equivalent of dyslexia. I asked around, got a few chuckles, and nobody ever seemed to hear of such a thing.

Shoot, even simple math tasks annoy me. Even adding. Now, I'm not saying that I can't do simple calculations, but I seem to take longer than most. Take for example, the game of blackjack. It takes me a good few seconds to calculate my when when I get dealt a new card. I'm not sure if this would have anythig to do with the rest of my math problems, but it just seems that when numbers exist, my mind cannot concentrate on them and I lose the thought process easily.

I've always wanted to finally "get it" with math, like a light bulb going on inside my head. I hope that maybe one day it will. :-)

Hey hon, i will be 50 this july and all my life i have had trouble with MATH. Thing is way back then when i was in elementary school, there wasnt any type of testing done or help for disorders at my school. You either fell into the retard, sorry, slow group or the other group. I did very well in everything else. I could spell frontwards and backwards, lol, but math, heck i had problems with even the easiest tasks. Still DO. So i was always in the high group BUT always struggled with the math and always got very low scores on it.
You know those tests where they say start at 100 and subtract seven from that and keep going?? uhm i got to 93, then 86 and then it was like :confused: and :eek: !! Honestly that was ME, still is hon. I even worked at an elementary school as secretary for close to 10 yrs. and actually did quite well in hiding the fact i could not do math. So, youre not alone sweetie.
Jen

Where can I find a screening for this math disorder?

math disorder??? this is the first time i've heard of anything like this. i've heard of math anxiety. if such a thing did exist, i'd believe that about 90% of the people who thought they had it probably don't. math is not easy for the most part, but with the right study habits, getting the min. req. is doable. if you have "beyond your years" intelligence but struggle in math i'm 100% sure its your study habits. the problem is that people teach math but they don't teach how to study math. this is where the problem is. i broke this down to a science and have had great results.

This is really interesting,as i have had a huge problem with math for what feels like my entire life!I was always good in all of my other subjects while in schol but, oh my god, when it came to doing like any type of math, i just drew a blank.i was forced to spend every single summer in summer school classes for math and it never ever helped.Up until now,and reading this, I attributed my math problems to a rather severe head injury i had sustained when in the third grade.I was unconcious for approx 72 hours as I suffered a rather severe concussion.i was finally told by my neurologist a few years ago that my math problems could very well been caused by the brain injury.It just seemed so wierd as I had no other deficits and did very well in all my other classes but damn, that math has always been a real pain to have to deal with.This makes me feel at least a little better about things now.Thanks Marcia

I have recently discovered that I have Dyscalculia as well. It's fairly common in Asperger's but because I LIKE maths I never thought I could have it. When I read the criteria I nearly fainted.

For me, it's not just maths (especially mental arithmetic and anything slightly complex) but the ability to estimate (lengths, amounts, distances, time etc.) and to memorise numbers, formulas and mathematical concepts as well as dates, spatial/geographical information, links between images and words/numbers etc. for any significant amount of time.

I'd usually practice like mad when I had grasped a new concept (like in arithmetics, which I actually enjoyed) and figured the mechanics of it (usually without having a clue about the underlying principles) and often did OK to even really well in exams.

But within days I'd forget how to do these things and when the subject came up next (in a different context) everyone, even the really bad students, would normally still remember the material and know how to do it while for me it was like I had never known it. I genuinely had to learn these things from scratch, no amount of recap or triggering brought the skills back!

I have recently discovered that I have Dyscalculia as well. It's fairly common in Asperger's but because I LIKE maths I never thought I could have it. When I read the criteria I nearly fainted.

For me, it's not just maths (especially mental arithmetic and anything slightly complex) but the ability to estimate (lengths, amounts, distances, time etc.) and to memorise numbers, formulas and mathematical concepts as well as dates, spatial/geographical information, links between images and words/numbers etc. for any significant amount of time.

I'd usually practice like mad when I had grasped a new concept (like in arithmetics, which I actually enjoyed) and figured the mechanics of it (usually without having a clue about the underlying principles) and often did OK to even really well in exams.

But within days I'd forget how to do these things and when the subject came up next (in a different context) everyone, even the really bad students, would normally still remember the material and know how to do it while for me it was like I had never known it. I genuinely had to learn these things from scratch, no amount of recap or triggering brought the skills back!

How did you find out that you had this problem? How does anyone go about finding out they have this problem?

Do a search on Google for Dyscalculia and read the symptoms. There are other more general maths learning disabilities but Dyscalculia in particular has very specific symptoms and affects onl specific areas of maths.

Specific strengths and weaknesses on IQ tests and maths assessments can help determine what the exact problem is.

Thanks for the input everyone :) It's a relief to know that I'm not the only one with a BIG problem with math.

Now all I gotta do is go to the doctor and find out how I can get this clinically diagnosed. But wait a minute, is Discalculia a real, genuine disorder that's recognized by the medical community? I sure hope so. I do have math anxiety, and that IS clinically diagnosed (although it's generally looked at as a bs disorder), but I'm sure that Discalculia is more accurate a diagnosis than math anxiety, as I'm sure I wasn't "anxious" when I showed signs of serious math issues as early as age 4. Even today, I'm not exactly anxious when it comes to math. I just get confused, and the numbers get completely jumbled up in my head. The only reason I get anxious is bc I know that if I don't pass Math 100 (this will be my 4th time taking the class), I can't graduate from college.

My family refuses to believe that I have Discalculia, or that such a thing even exists. They're convinced that this is just an excuse for laziness. I really don't think this is the case. I've studied a broad range of subjects (and got A's in everything), and even teached for awhile; I know how to study things. So learning, or "studying the wrong way" isn't the issue for math. I've tried numerous math tutors, books on tape, long studying sessions (which is a lot, since I barely need to study to get A's in other courses), and still cannot get higher than a D-.

I recently heard about Tom Cruise and how he's a spokesman for Dyslexia, bc he overcame it to become a successful actor, and even a pilot. But the thing is (not to put down dyslexia or anything, this is just imo), dyslexia is about words and reading. There are ways to train yourself to memorize ideas and thus memorize the words (when it comes to remembering your lines, etc). But for math, there are no two ways around it; in math there is only one correct answer, and one correct way to get that answer. Imo that's why I think trying to "get over" discalculia is much more difficult that trying to overcome dyslexia. That's why it angers me when my family and friends tell me to just "get over it," and to just "study harder."

I dunno, I may just be babbling incoherently at this point. I'm dizzy from thinking about how much my inability to do math has affected my life (I'll probably never be able to graduate college, cause I can't pass Math 100), and how much ppl refuse to acknowledge that Discalculia really exists.

I know how hard that is hon. All my life ive had math problems. I mean i worked as an elementary school secretary but all my accounts were done by computer and such. Working with math has always been a struggle for me. I also had tutors even as an adult (didnt have them in school when i was growing up tho) and that didn't help. Its NOT laziness and i feel totally insulted and think people who call it lazyness are just being insensitive and totally ignorant. WHen i was in school (im 50 now) they used to divide the grade level, say 5th grade into 3 rooms, it was a small school. THe first room was always the highest, second, average, third room was for the slower ones and i believe there was one for either sp ed or something. I was ALWAYS in the first room throughout elementary school, but i always struggled with math. Back then we didn't have special tutors who came in and helped with things like math. Or any disorders acknowledge. So you had to keep up with it or fail the math part. I always barely passed it by the skin of my teeth , probably only because i was so good in the other subjects. My brain doesn't work when it comes to math. The numbers just don't mean much to me, and when you start adding letters and symbols to the numbers, it all becomes one huge jumble puzzle to me. Something in my brain just cannot grasp the letter/number combinations, and ive been tutored by some very math oriented people in my adult life. So hang in there hon, we're not DUMB or lazy.
Jen

Thanks Jen.

So did those tutors help at all? I've had my share of tutors and no matter how hard I try, or how positive an attitude I have, nothing goes in. Math is the only subject where I just cannot grasp the concept. But it's not just that, I truly feel that some neural connection necessary to compute math simply is not there for me. Maybe my math neurons are broken ;)

Whatever the case, I just hope that I can get this diagnosed, and that I can get Math 100 waived (if I decide to go back to college, I've since dropped out, bc of Math 100). There is something wrong when intelligent ppl like us are completely dumbfounded and lost when it comes to math, and only math.

But it is encouraging to hear that you were able to be a school secretary. Thank God for computers. I currently work at the post office as a Postmaster, and there are too many times to count (no pun intended) where math was an issue for me. Daily, you need to be able to instantly compute numbers and formulas in your head, and quite frankly I don't know how I get by. I just know that one day this math disability of mine is gonna blow up in my face.

So are you still a school secretary, dealing with numbers on a daily basis? You don't need to answer if that's too personal. I'm just wondering if you're still able to get by without having to have extensive math knowledge/abilities.

Anyway, I just hope that one day discalculia can be seen on the same level as dyslexia and other learning disabilities. I hope that one day ppl can stop thinking of me as simply being lazy when it comes to math. And most importantly, I hope that one day new research and centers will emerge to help ppl with discalculia. It may be too late for me to relearn every single facet of math (not just the concepts, the hundreds of formulas, etc), but maybe if ppl are better able to recognize it at an early age, and diagnose it, there won't be ppl like me; unable to graduate college bc I can't pass Math 100, and no help to be found anywhere (other than you guys, I can't even find ppl who'll believe me).

Anyway, thanks again for the support.

Hi hon,
No i no longer work at the school. Had to stop working due to health reasons. Ive suffered with fibromyalgia and cfs for a very very long time although it wasnt till recent , about 3 yrs ago that it was finally diagnosed. I had stopped working prior to the diagnosis because i just couldnt keep up anymore. I was in severe pain and getting tired by the minute and no one could tell me why.

WOW postmaster. Yea, im sure you do handle alot of math situations. My husband works for the postal service as well. He's an E.T. and his job involved alot of math as well. Im amazed at people who can handle math.

I was tutored by one of my husbands cousin who has too many degrees lol to count or name , but he is an engineer and has had every kind of math under the sun. I was also tutured by a neice who is a college level some kind of math lol teacher. NADA!! zoom, right over my head. Not funny really, but, i just found myself giving them a very confused look.
Exactly!!! I feel also that there is a connection in my brain that is missing, like that part that is suppose to grasp math is somehow broken. Like the bridge there has collapsed and there is no crossing over to it, lol. Its weird but, when i was been tutored or when i try to understand and learn math i can ACTUALLY feel where it wants to "get there", but then it stops. Know what i mean?? Like a broken connection exactly.
But we're here for each other hon. Maybe in time, discalculia will be better known and accepted. Like fibromyalgia. Took almost all my life to get diagnosed right, but finally did just a few years ago. I turned 50 this July, so you can imagine the years i went undiagnosed. Hang in there. We can pray it only gets better hon.

Jen :)

Well, I thought I had this, because I suck at math, but I checked out the website posted on this syndrome, and I exhibit some but not all of the symptoms.
For one thing, I am a master of the guitar, and I've never learned to read music, but I've never tried.
Maybe you can still not have all the symptoms and sitll have this disorder.

Well, I thought I had this, because I suck at math, but I checked out the website posted on this syndrome, and I exhibit some but not all of the symptoms.
For one thing, I am a master of the guitar, and I've never learned to read music, but I've never tried.
Maybe you can still not have all the symptoms and sitll have this disorder.

Perhaps, you are right. I have the same problem as your self with music theroy. I can play piano and guitar but I never mastered theroy.Of course now, I haven't been able to play keyboards since I developed RSD in my right dominate hand.

I KNEW there had to be a disorder for this- I used to tell people I had "math dyslexia" lol. No matter how hard I try, I would get tutoring by several different people before & after class, I studied hard, I did extra problems on my own, I did what I could & yet... I still struggled to maintain a C or D in math. I would have a full review right before the test & then forget every single thing & fail the test. Teachers never knew what to make of me. I do struggle in reading music & with music. The only thing I do not have trouble with is finances- probably having worked in a bank for a year & a half scarred me by seeing what debt can get you. I am bad with time. Reading math problems is like reading greek to me. I just can't remember anything or learn anything new unless it is drilled repeatedly into my head & introduced slowly.
So my question is, how do we cure or treat this math disorder if your positive you have it?

My DD is suffering from this, and she is only in the 3rd grade. It is very painful for me to see her struggle. She has Asperger's and PDD as well. She tests off the charts in every area but math.

ES~38~MM:

Asperger's IS a PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), but "PDD" is not a valid diagnosis on its own. You can't have AS *and* PDD, you have a PDD which can be AS, Kanner/Classic Autism, PDD-NOS etc.

Sorry, meant something else but was thinking about a different post.

"Sorry, meant something else but was thinking about a different post."

Oh I see did you mean ODD (oppositional defiant disorder)? All these acronyms are just too similar!