Could I possibly have Dyscalculia?

[DukeNukem001]

For as long as I can remember, I have ALWAYS struggled heavily in math. I’m unable to do mental math unless I count on my fingers (sometimes I have to do it multiple times because I lose count) or something so simple like 2 + 2. Other than that, I have to write everything down on paper, and if I get numbers with decimals I generally have a very tough time finding where to place the decimal points, how to manipulate the numbers, etc.

And word problems? Absolutely no chance. It takes me a ridiculous amount of time just to decipher one word problem, and after I finish it (generally it’s wrong anyway, aka set up completely wrong or I miscalculated something), I’m just so damn exhausted just from doing one problem that I can’t pick myself back up to do another one.

I regularly get my numbers mixed up in my head and sometimes totally forget what I’m doing mid-problem, so I have to completely re-do the problem - sometimes it works, other times I just make a huge mess of work.

I’m taking College Algebra right now, and to be perfectly honest it’s drilling a hole right through me. I recently had a test that I’m certain I failed - even after spending upwards of 4 hours at the damn library doing practice problems on this mathlab program. We’re doing such complicated shit like linear equations, point-slope form etc, and at this point the material is just so overwhelming for me.

Honestly, I don’t see the point in investing in a tutor because this mathlab program is pretty much a tutor in itself - countless practice problems starting at the bare minimum, tools that walk you through the problem, practice quizzes, etc. For me at least, the amount of information to remember for these tests is just absolutely backbreaking, so many formulas, ways to solve the problem, etc. I believe that I’m so used to memorization that I’m unable to learn math - whenever I say a problem that’s slightly adjusted I blank out and forget how to do it.

I don’t even know at this point. For years I thought it was the case that I’m simply not smart at math, however after researching this “Dyscalculia” I’m fairly certain I have this. What can even be done if I do have this? I’m not entirely sure if I’ll pass this College Algebra class, and I STILL have to take Pre-Calc and Business Calc. for my degree in IT.

But for now, I just need to concentrate on passing this algebra class. I don’t know how I’ll do it.

What do colleges (generally) do for people with learning disabilities? Not saying I have one, but if it turns out I do, what will even be done? Will I still have to take all three of these math classes, or could I possibly substitute in a 400 level tech class perhaps? Or something?

[MITer94]

@DukeNukem001 I’m not an expert with such disorders (dyscalculia, dyslexia) so you may want to read on signs and symptoms and see if you fall in that category (the Wikipedia [url=<a href=“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia#Other_problems%5Darticle%5B/url”>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia#Other_problems]article[/url] has some examples). There are also free tests online that you can take; if you are struggling with the questions, perhaps look into talking with your doctor and getting a diagnosis.

However, it is possible that you simply may not have mastered elementary arithmetic or other topics well enough for the algebra course. Tasks involving number sense including addition/subtraction/multiplication (such as 7x9, or adding decimals) do take practice to master well.

You’ll certainly need these skills for a college algebra course, as well as a course that uses MATLAB (I am currently taking a graduate course that heavily uses MATLAB with a lot of linear algebra, so I know the language somewhat).

If you understand the syntax in MATLAB, and the topics tested (such as plotting a line), then the actual MATLAB implementation isn’t too bad. But you should see if you should get a diagnosis, then work from there.

[techmom99]

I have 3 children (out of 5) with varying degrees of dyscalculia. Two are also dyslexic. Have you ever been tested for IQ, achievement, etc.? Those scores and the sub–scores can help ferret this out. If you have insurance that covers it, go for the testing. If not, you might approach the psych or education departments at your school because sometimes majors or grad students do the testing on volunteers to practice their methods and techniques. If your test results show that you have dyscalculia, you can ask for accommodations but you probably won’t get exempted from math.

I have some suggestions on that. My D took her required math class pass fail and just knowing that it wouldn’t mess up her gpa gave her the calmness to be able to pass the class. Another suggestion is to drop the class you are in now and take one at a community college which you should be able to transfer back the credit for as long as you get permission from your school and get a C or better.

One trick that a tutor taught my kids was to use graph paper all the time and put each number into a separate box, including the decimal point. This helps keep the numbers lined up properly. Also, use a ruler to help keep your numbers in line.

Good luck.

[bopper]

See if there is somewhere you could be tested on campus for Dyscalcia.

Don’t rule out a tutor…they may have short cuts that might be helpful and also be able to zoom in on the particular aspects you have trouble with.

Also maybe watch Khan videos on math topics.

Also, this is my standard advice on doing well.

0. GO TO CLASS, BUY THE BOOK, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!

1. Go to Professor’s office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: “I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?”

2. If you have problems with the homework, go to Prof’s office hours. If they have any “help sessions” or “study sessions” or “recitations” or any thing extra, go to them.

3. Form a study group with other kids in your dorm/class.

4. Don’t do the minimum…for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or whatever. Watch videos on line about the topic you are studying.

5. Go to the writing center if you need help with papers/math center for math problems (if they have them)

6. If things still are not going well, get a tutor.

7. Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.

8. If you feel you need to withdraw from a class, talk to your advisor as to which one might be the best …you may do better when you have less classes to focus on. But some classes may be pre-reqs and will mess your sequence of classes up.

9. For tests that you didn’t do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study…there may be a study skill center at your college.

10. How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? It is generally expected that for each hour in class, you spend 2-3 outside doing homework. Treat this like a full time job.

11. At first, don’t spend too much time other things rather than school work. (sports, partying, rushing fraternities/sororities, video gaming etc etc)

12. If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the counseling center and talk to them. Talk to the dean of students about coordinating your classes…e.g. sometimes you can take a medical withdrawal. Or you could withdraw from a particular class to free up tim for the others. Sometimes you can take an incomplete if you are doing well and mostly finished the semester and suddenly get pneumonia/in a car accident (happened to me)…you can heal and take the final first thing the next semester. But talk to your adviser about that too.

13. At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The professor may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.

14. Make sure you understand how to use your online class system…Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the prof wants).

15. If you get an assignment…make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.

16. If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the professors office hours…not the day before the assignment is due.

You might think that this is all completely obvious, but I have read many stories on this and other websites where people did not do the above and then are asking for help on academic appeal letters.