DYSCALCULIA

Many learners have problems in learning and especially in mathematics. The nature of their problems however varies. Some exhibit inconsistencies in their performance i.e. solving correctly one day but incorrectly the next day. There are learners who fail to maintain learned arithmetic and mathematics skills after some extended period of time and many others face difficulties in applying their knowledge in new situations. Some learners take longer period of tome to solve computational problems while others face problems in understanding the problems even before applying computational skills. Many other have developed distaste for and also fear of anything mathematical (Sharma, 1990).

The term dyscalculia is a medically oriented word that describes a severe disability in learning and using mathematics among learners. Dyscalculia refers to disorder in the ability to do or learn mathematics, i.e. difficulty in number conceptualization, understanding number relationships, and difficulty in learning algorithms and applying them. In essence, dyscalculia learners have lower arithmetic achievement, i.e. several years below the appropriate level.

Mathematics learning problem or disabilities can be due to several factors such as perceptual difficulties, listening and attending difficulties, remembering difficulties and thinking or understanding difficulties (Tucker, Singleton & Weaver, 2002).


Types of Mathematic Learning Disabilities

Penulisan LO 2(Impact of LD)

1.0 PENGENALAN

Bilangan kanak-kanak yang menghadapi Masalah pembelajaran di Malaysia tidak dapat dikenalpasti secara tepat namun menurut Carol Turkington and Joseph R.harris, dalam buku berjudul Understanding Learning Disabilities menyatakan bahawa terdapat seorang daripada setiap lima orang di United States mengalami masalah pembelajaran.Namun demikian terdapat lagi bilangan kanak-kanak masih tidak direkodkan kerana kanak-kanak ini tidak menerima ujian diagnostik yang betul atau tidak mendapat rawatan kerana mereka ini dianggap tidak memerlukan perhatian yang khusus.

Tetapi tidak semua murid yang menghadapi masalah dalam pembelajaran merupakan kanak-kanak bermasalah pembelajaran (learning disabilities). Sesetengah kanak-kanak mungkin menunjukkan perkembangan yang agak lewat jika dibandingkan dengan kanak-kanak seusianya yang lain. Oleh yang demikian, betapa pentingnya pengenalpastian yang lebih awal atau rawatan awal bagi mengenalpasti simptom masalah pembelajaran. Di peringkat pembelajaran prasekolah lagi kanak-kanak bermasalah pembelajaran sepatutnya dapat dikenal pasti. Antara simptom kanak-kanak sebegini adalah menghadapi masalah bagi mengenal huruf, perkataan, menghubungkan bunyi dan huruf, pengiraan atau berkaitan dengan nombor, terlalu aktif atau pasif. Pada peringkat sekolah rendah kanak-kanak ini akan menghadapi masalah untuk belajar perkataan-perkataan baru, bercakap menggunakan ayat yang penuh, memahami perbualan, penulisan dan menguasai penyelesaian masalah matematik dan banyak lagi masalah lain.

Math Learning Disabilities(LEARNING OUTCOMES 5)

While children with disorders in mathematics are specifically included under the definition of Learning Disabilities, seldom do math learning difficulties cause children to be referred for evaluation. In many school systems, special education services are provided almost exclusively on the basis of children's reading disabilities. Even after being identified as learning disabled (LD), few children are provided substantive assessment and remediation of their arithmetic difficulties.

This relative neglect might lead parents and teachers to believe that arithmetic learning problems are not very common, or perhaps not very serious. However, approximately 6% of school-age children have significant math deficits and among students classified as learning disabled, arithmetic difficulties are as pervasive as reading problems. This does not mean that all reading disabilities are accompanied by arithmetic learning problems, but it does mean that math deficits are widespread and in need of equivalent attention and concern.

Evidence from learning disabled adults belies the social myth that it is okay to be rotten at math. The effects of math failure throughout years of schooling, coupled with math illiteracy in adult life, can seriously handicap both daily living and vocational prospects. In today's world, mathematical knowledge, reasoning, and skills are no less important than reading ability .

Different types of math learning problems

Types of learning disabilities

Common Types of Learning Disabilities


Dyslexia

Difficulty processing language

Problems reading, writing, spelling, speaking

Dyscalculia

Difficulty with math

Problems doing math problems, understanding time, using money


Dysgraphia

Difficulty with writing

Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing ideas


Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder)

Suggested Classroom Accommodations for Specific Behaviors (LEARNING OUTCOMES 6 )

When you see this behavior

Try this accommodation



1. Difficulty following a plan (has high aspirations but lacks follow-through); sets out to "get straight A’s,  
    ends up with F’s" (sets unrealistic goals) Assist student in setting long-range goals:

*break the goal into realistic parts.

*Use a questioning strategy with the student; ask,

What do you need to be able to do this?

Kanak-Kanak Bermasalah Pembelajaran (Learning Disablity)

PENGENALAN

Kanak-kanak bermasalah pembelajaran adalah mereka yang mempunyai masalah neurologikal hingga menjejaskan pemahaman, penggunaan bahasa, pertuturan, penulisan, berfikir, membaca, menulis, mengeja dan bermatematik.


 
DEFINISI

Kanak-kanak bermasalah pembelajaran merujuk kepada kanak-kanak yang mengalami halangan psikologikal atau neurologikal terhadap gerak balas bahasa, samada tulisan, perpsepsi kognitif atau aktiviti psikomotor. (sumber diolah daripada Buku Perkembangan Kanak-Kanak yang ditulis oleh Mok Soon Sang)

TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES (LEARNING OUTCOMES 3)

DYSCALCULIA

Although dyscalculia may be difficult to diagnose, there are strategies that teachers and parents should know about to aid students in learning mathematics.

Dysgraphia

What is Dysgraphia?


By: National Center for Learning Disabilities (2006)



Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities. It can manifest itself as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Because writing requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills, saying a student has dysgraphia is not sufficient. A student with disorders in written expression will benefit from specific accommodations in the learning environment, as well as additional practice learning the skills required to be an accomplished writer.

LETTER TO MY MATH TEACHER

Dear Math Professor:

(1.) On tests, please allow me scrap paper with lines and ample room for uncluttered figuring.

(2.) I need instant answers and a chance to do the problem over once if I get it wrong the first time. Often my mistakes are the result of "seeing" the problem wrong. To AVOID this, you would have to watch as I went through each problem and correct any mistakes in recording as they happened.


(3.) Problems written too closely together on the page cause me mental confusion and distress.

(4.) Please make the test problems pure, testing only the required skills. They must be free of large numbers and unnecessary distracting calculations. These side-track me into a frenzy!

(5.) Please allow me more than the standard time to complete problems and please check to see that I am free of panic (tears in my eyes, mind frozen).

(6.) If possible, please allow me to take the exam on a one-to-one basis in your presence.

What is a Special Needs?

"Special Needs" is an umbrella underneath which a staggering array of diagnoses can be wedged. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound mental retardation; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems.

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics for children with special needs including the identification of such children and the diagnosis and remediation of the problems they encounter in mathematics. Student will also be exposed to designing appropriate intervention programmes to remediate children's mathematical errors, uncluding those with dyscalculia and dyslexia. The characteristics of children with special needs in mathematics and strategies to support them will also be covered.