Picture this: You walk into a doctor’s office with a broken arm, and the doctor hands you an ice pack, saying, “Oh, I didn’t know about bones, but more time should fix it.” Ridiculous, right? Well, welcome to the world of dyscalculia—where math specialists, yes math specialists, don’t even know this learning difference exists.
Let me paint you a real-life horror story. I’m talking to a so-called "math expert"—you know, someone whose actual job is to help struggling math students—and I mention dyscalculia. Cue the crickets. The blank stare was so strong I thought I’d mentioned some ancient sorcery. Nope, not a spell—just a learning difference affecting around 5-10% of the population. But they had no clue. None. Zilch. I know, I nearly spit out my tea too.
How is that possible?! And it’s not just this one specialist. Oh no, friends, this is a systemic problem. We’re talking about a learning difference that could be impacting millions of students, and the very people responsible for teaching them don’t even know it exists. We’ve got teachers, administrators, and math coaches across the board who wouldn’t know dyscalculia if it tap-danced across their desk with a calculator in hand. Welcome to education in 2024. Scary? Absolutely. Fixable? It better be.
So, if you think you know what the real math problem is, think again. Because the equation of education is missing a big piece, and it’s time we solved for X: dyscalculia.
So, What Exactly is Dyscalculia? (And No, It's Not Just 'Being Bad at Math')
In case you’re new to the dyscalculia game—let me break it down for you in non-specialist terms. Dyscalculia isn’t just “Oh, I’m not a numbers person” or “I didn’t really like algebra in high school.” It's a legitimate brain-based condition that messes with a person’s ability to understand numbers, perform simple calculations, or even grasp the basic concepts of time, sequencing, and spatial awareness. Imagine walking into a grocery store and not knowing whether you’re looking at 10 oranges or 100 because they all blur together. Or struggling to distinguish between your right and left, which makes directions feel like an impossible puzzle. That’s dyscalculia for you.
And no, it’s not just the "math form of dyslexia"—it’s far more nuanced than that. Dyscalculia affects how the brain processes numerical information and spatial awareness, making everything from reading a clock to estimating a distance a potential challenge. And before you ask—no, giving extra time on a test is not going to magically fix it. Sorry, schools, but that’s not the magical math fairy dust these kids need.
Wait, Teachers Don’t Know About This?!
Now, here’s the real kicker. I can forgive the general public for not knowing what dyscalculia is. After all, unless you’re diving into the educational rabbit hole like me, it’s not something that gets brought up at family dinners. But teachers? Math specialists? THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP THESE KIDS? Sorry, but that’s where I draw the line.
Just recently, I got a call from a mom whose daughter had been diagnosed with dyscalculia. She wanted the school to pay for outside help (that’s me, hi!) because her district’s math specialist had never heard of dyscalculia. And the school’s response? "Oh, don’t worry, we’ll just give her a calculator and more time to finish her math tests. Problem solved!" Uh, no. Giving extra time to a child who doesn’t understand the numbers in front of her doesn’t magically make her grasp the concept of division.
It’s like giving me extra time to bake a cake when I don’t even know what flour is. More time won’t help if I don’t understand the basics!
How Did We Get Here?
You might be thinking, “Well, how did we get here? Why aren’t more teachers and specialists aware of this learning difference?” Oh, I have some thoughts on that.
When I was an undergrad, I took exactly one course on special populations. One. And in grad school, where I earned a Master’s in Math Education? Not a single class on neurodiversity or learning differences like dyscalculia. I learned about it because I’m me. I’m that person who falls down the research rabbit hole because I question everything. (I may or may not have lost an entire day researching the origins of pi... but that’s another story.)
It wasn’t until I stumbled across some professional development on my own—shoutout to Marilyn Zecher and her amazing multisensory math instruction course—that I truly grasped how to help students with dyscalculia. But why should it take teachers and specialists going rogue, using their own time and money to figure this out? Why aren’t schools offering this in undergrad and grad programs? Why isn’t this basic knowledge for people responsible for our children’s education? ( Just to be transparent, Colleges and Universities are getting better at this, as are public schools. I know Marilyn Zecher presents her Multisensory Math Instruction Courses at professional development workshops across the country and more and more teachers are getting trained on the multisensory math methodology. But this is happening on far too few campuses nationwide.)
Let’s Talk About Professional Development (Or Lack Thereof)
Here’s a little fun fact for you: When I was a full-time teacher, with four kids of my own, I didn’t have the time (or money) to go hunting for specialized PD (professional development). And even when I was required to attend PD at my school, guess what we’d spend our precious hours on? “Unpacking the TEKS.” Again. And again. And again. Now, I get it—standards are important. But year after year of the same PD? Maybe just once, we could swap that out for something that would actually help teachers understand learning differences like dyscalculia.
Imagine if, instead of watching another PowerPoint on “vertical alignment,” teachers were given practical tools for teaching students who are neurodiverse. Instead of assuming a child who struggles with math just “needs more time,” teachers could actually understand why math is so hard for them—and more importantly, how to help.
Why This Matters (And Why You Should Care)
Here’s the thing: If you’re a parent reading this, or a teacher, or heck, even just someone who likes numbers (hi there!), you should care about this. Dyscalculia affects more students than you think, and we’re doing them a massive disservice by not educating the educators. Without the right support, these kids aren’t just going to “get it” if you give them more time or a calculator (especially if they don't even know how to properly use a calculator). They need explicit, structured and targeted instruction, often using multisensory techniques, to truly understand the math that’s giving them trouble.
And honestly? It’s terrifying to think that so many people working in education haven’t even heard of it.
What Needs to Change (Like, Yesterday)
So, what’s the fix? I’m glad you asked. First of all, we need to start teaching future teachers about neurodiversity from Day 1 in their college programs. You wouldn’t send someone to a hospital without teaching them basic first aid, right? So why are we sending teachers into classrooms without the knowledge of something as relevant as dyscalculia?
Second, schools need to start offering meaningful professional development that goes beyond the same old, same old. Schools could (and should) be bringing in experts, offering free courses on dyscalculia, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences during PD days—instead of just regurgitating the curriculum standards for the umpteenth time. Believe me, teachers are tired of sitting through the same PD year after year. Let’s give them something that will truly make a difference for their students.
Together, We Can Make Math a Joyful Journey
So, what can you do? Start asking questions. If you’re a parent, ask your child’s teacher or school about dyscalculia and what supports are in place for kids who struggle with math. If you’re a teacher or math specialist, take it upon yourself to learn more. Advocate for better PD in your district. And if you’re like me and live in a constant state of curiosity (and possibly mild frustration), well, keep questioning the system. Because one thing’s for sure—our kids deserve better.
At MindBridge Math Mastery, we don’t just acknowledge learning differences—we celebrate them. I bring my passion for multisensory math instruction, deep understanding of neurodiversity, and a fiery dedication to helping every student thrive into each session. If your child struggles with math and you’re ready to give them the personalized support they deserve, book your free consultation today. Let’s tackle these challenges together and make math something your child can actually enjoy.
Because here at MindBridge Math Mastery, we don’t just teach math—we teach students how to master their brilliance, one mindful method at a time.
Susan Ardila, a renowned expert in educational development, is committed to helping children overcome learning challenges through personalized tutoring and comprehensive support. Join our community of successful learners and start your child's path to success today.
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