Understanding Developmental Dyscalculia: Its Causes & Prevalence

A Quick Guide

In the day and age we live, we require arithmetic ability in everything around us. Whether it’s time management, operating any devices or calculating monetary gains, etc. All of this requires numerical processing. So then for those who are unable to do this numerical processing, life becomes quite difficult. In fact, according to research done by (Gerardi, Goette, & Meier, 2013; Parsons & Bynner, 2005), low numerical processing may be associated with low income, greater chances of falling ill, and greater risk of mortgage default. Then you might ask, why is it that some people have normal numerical processing while for others, it is so difficult? The answer is developmental dyscalculia. 

What is Developmental Dyscalculia?

Developmental dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that is characterized by having trouble with arithmetic. As we discussed above, arithmetic ability is crucial in this era we live in. And so this learning disability can lead to a lot of issues in a person’s life.

Even though the effects of this disability are just as detrimental as dyslexia, still there is less awareness about it. In fact, it is one of the more underresearched neurodevelopmental disorders.

What are the causes of Developmental Dyscalculia?

Research suggests there is a strong genetic link when it comes to developmental dyscalculia. But, environmental deprivation, poor instruction, low intelligence, and mathematics anxiety are some causes that may have contributed to its development.

Dyscalculia can develop from dysfunction of either hemisphere since the neuronal network of both hemispheres serves as the foundation for typical arithmetic abilities, even though the left parietotemporal area is particularly important. 

In addition to being regularly seen in a number of neurologic conditions such as Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental language disorder, epilepsy, and fragile X syndrome, dyscalculia can result from prematurity and low birth weight.

It’s crucial to understand that, while some math can be learned independently by kids, most math is taught in schools. Children may struggle to learn math in this formal context for a number of reasons, including ineffective teaching techniques.

Numerous math curricula are objective; they are frequently selected by teachers without enough support for a particular text’s effectiveness. The variety of the student body, crammed classrooms, and the tendency toward mainstreaming are further downsides.

In the latter case, it usually means that students with learning difficulties will learn most of what they are taught in regular classes rather than in classrooms designed to better address their unique abilities and special limitations.

Those with dyscalculia prefer to sacrifice precision for speed, and their performance is poor even on the most basic arithmetic activities, so mathematics anxiety may pass for dyscalculia or worsen it. Competency in mathematics is considerably improved by psychological treatment for mathematical anxiety.

Who is more prone to it?

Developmental dyscalculia is a common developmental disability; it affects roughly 5-6% of students in schools, which is comparable to the prevalence of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and developmental dyslexia. Compared to these neurodevelopmental disorders, it affects both males and females equally.

Developmental dyscalculia’s long-term outlook is unknown, however, it does seem to linger, at least temporarily, in roughly half of affected preteen children.

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about developmental dyscalculia.