Buzz
While dyslexia, a reading disability affecting up to 15% of people, is widely recognized—thanks to figures like Jaime Lannister from HBO’s Game of Thrones and comedian Eddie Izzard—dyscalculia, its mathematical counterpart, remains largely unknown. Surprisingly, up to six percent of U.S. elementary school students may face this math-related challenge.
The lack of awareness around dyscalculia stems from societal attitudes toward math. Many people accept that math is inherently difficult, unlike reading. Dr. Gavin Price, a Vanderbilt University professor who has studied dyscalculia globally, notes, 'In my classes, I ask students if they feel they’re bad at math, and half raise their hands. But when I ask if they’re bad at reading, no one does.'
Dr. Edward Hubbard from the University of Wisconsin-Madison agrees, emphasizing that societal views on math not only contribute to the lack of dyscalculia awareness but also explain why research on the disorder lags behind dyslexia studies by at least 20 years.
“Cultural attitudes toward math play a significant role,” explains Hubbard, who has studied dyscalculia in France and the U.S. and leads his university’s Educational Neuroscience lab, currently launching a new dyscalculia study. “It’s striking how many people casually admit, ‘I’m bad at math,’ or claim, ‘I’m just not a math person,’ without hesitation.”
To help increase awareness of dyscalculia, start your quick guide to this lesser-known math disorder with these 11 essential facts.
1. The term dyscalculia was first introduced in the 1940s but gained broader recognition through the 1974 research of Czechoslovakian researcher Ladislav Kosc.
Kosc described the disorder as 'a structural issue with mathematical abilities,' resulting from impaired brain regions responsible for math calculations, without affecting general cognitive functions. (In simpler terms: Struggling with math due to specific brain dysfunctions doesn’t mean overall mental limitations.) Today, some researchers also call it 'math dyslexia' or 'math learning disability.'
2. Dyscalculia is categorized into two distinct types.
Most individuals diagnosed with dyscalculia have the developmental form, meaning it is present from birth. However, acquired dyscalculia can develop later in life, typically due to a stroke or brain injury.
3. Facing difficulties with algebra matrices or failing college calculus doesn’t typically indicate dyscalculia.
This disorder primarily affects foundational math skills. “Someone with dyscalculia may find it hard to grasp basic arithmetic, like 5+2=7,” Hubbard explains. “They might also struggle to determine if seven is greater than five and often rely on counting fingers for simple addition.”
4. Dyscalculia may originate in the brain’s parietal lobe.
What triggers dyscalculia? The leading theory suggests it stems from an impaired ability to assess quantities, a function primarily managed by the parietal lobe.
“One theory suggests that dyscalculia stems from a dysfunction in the number sense or approximate number system,” Price explains. “This system enables us to recognize, for instance, that five apples are more than three. It allows us to compare, order, and process quantities without relying on verbal symbols or labels.”
“In a study conducted in Finland,” Price adds, “we scanned children with dyscalculia while they performed such tasks and compared their brain activity to typically developing children. We discovered that the intraparietal sulcus in the parietal cortex behaved differently in these children when processing non-symbolic numerical magnitudes.”
5. Scientists have successfully induced dyscalculia in individuals temporarily.
In 2007, researchers at University College London used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a method often employed to treat depression, to temporarily induce dyscalculia in individuals without the disorder. This involved placing an electromagnetic coil against the scalp.
During the study, TMS was applied to the right parietal lobe while participants compared quantities. The stimulation temporarily impaired their ability to determine which quantity was larger.
6. Dyscalculia can present itself in various forms.
Although research indicates that dyscalculia is closely tied to parietal lobe issues affecting numerical understanding, experts like Hubbard believe the disorder may be experienced differently by individuals.
“The issue might not lie in the number sense itself but in connecting numerical symbols to that sense,” Hubbard explains. “It could vary among individuals. Some may struggle with the number system, while others face challenges with symbols.”
7. Dyscalculia has made appearances in popular culture.
While dyslexic characters are more prevalent in media, dyscalculia has also been depicted. Fans of the Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation might recall Liberty Van Zandt’s struggles, and X-Men enthusiasts may know Jubilee, Wolverine’s sidekick, excels at pyrotechnics but not at handling numbers.
8. Dyscalculia affects both genders equally.
While the pop culture examples mentioned are female, dyscalculia does not show a significant gender bias at this time.
“From what I’ve observed, the distribution seems fairly balanced. However, gender ratios in dyscalculia haven’t been as closely studied as they have for dyslexia,” Hubbard notes, pointing out that the evidence supporting higher dyslexia rates in boys is robust.
Hubbard acknowledges that this contradicts the outdated and inaccurate stereotype that women are less skilled in math than men. “Gender differences in math ability have diminished over time. With better female role models in math and fewer societal barriers, girls are performing just as well. Any remaining gaps are largely cultural.”
9. Certain groups, however, face a higher likelihood of developing dyscalculia.
Individuals with Turner syndrome, epilepsy, or Fragile X syndrome are more prone to dyscalculia. Additionally, those with ADHD, prenatal alcohol exposure, or premature birth face a higher risk of developing the disorder.
10. Diagnosing dyscalculia can be challenging.
“A major issue with dyscalculia, and why it hasn’t received as much attention as dyslexia, is its high co-morbidity,” Price explains. “Often, those who struggle with math also face difficulties in other areas.”
Although diagnosis can be complex, addressing other conditions may help improve dyscalculia symptoms. For instance, a study on ADHD patients, both with and without dyscalculia, found that stimulant medication enhanced their calculation skills but not their fundamental numerical abilities.
11. Dyscalculia currently has no cure.
However, there’s no need to despair! Individuals with dyscalculia can master math, even if certain aspects remain challenging due to neurological differences. Price emphasizes that math involves more than just the parietal lobe. “Math encompasses a variety of skills, and these engage multiple regions of the brain.”
Early identification is crucial for helping children manage dyscalculia. For adults dealing with the disorder, adopting a positive mindset can be the first step toward overcoming its challenges.
“When adults struggle with reading, they rarely consider revisiting the basics of language sounds,” Hubbard notes. “Similarly, if you’re struggling with math, your instinct might not be to revisit fundamental concepts like quantity perception and linking them to numerical symbols. Instead of focusing on advanced topics, it’s essential to strengthen these foundational skills, which many assume come naturally to everyone.”
