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Math difficulty, or dyscalculia, is more than just "being poor at math" and often co-occurs with dyslexia.

Math development depends on five functional brain systems, including the linguistic.

Addressing dyscalculia should begin with the linguistic system, which technology can now correct.

Many people think that they are poor at math. But that is different from a real problem with quantification that affects an estimated 7 percent of the population (Haberstroh & Schulte-Korne, 2019). Although we may not be one of them, math difficulty affects us all: It exacts a high cost societally, in terms of educational investment and lost productivity.

"Not Good at Math"—When Is It More Than That?

Alex is 10 but still can't add up to 10 correctly, even when counting with his fingers. Sam has spent every summer with tutors trying to help her retain math facts. They never stick. Except for this quantitative problem, Alex loves fixing all sorts of mechanical gadgets and would make a good engineer someday. Sam designs models in 3D and wants to grow up to be an architect. But engineering and architecture need a strong math foundation.

When the will and effort are there, and yet the child still struggles with math more than is typical, parents have to probe deeper. Can it be dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia, also known as a math learning disability, is a neurologically based impairment. The brain of a person with dyscalculia operates in non-typical ways when doing math.

Math involves many concepts, symbols, procedures, and applications. Thus, math ability is highly complex, and any part may not be functioning typically or efficiently in the brain. By extension, dyscalculia is not a unitary condition but varies from person to person.........

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