How to help children avoid panicking over maths problems and give them support
Many children find learning and applying maths difficult. A dyslexic child is bound to have trouble with word problems in maths, but there are ways for them to overcome this
My Year Six daughter finds maths really hard and especially panics when attempting word problems, a Hong Kong parent writes. She is dyslexic and gets extra support with reading and writing but not maths. Should I question this?
Links between dyslexia and difficulties with maths are well established. Recent research has shown that maths dyscalculia – a term describing students who consistently have problems learning maths – is hugely under-diagnosed. Given that all children occasionally have trouble with maths, the signs are not always easy to spot. Negative reactions to everyday activities related to maths, such as getting frustrated and confused when playing board games, can be a sign.
A Hong Kong mother worries her son’s maths lessons are too much fun
Furthermore, 100 times more pupils are diagnosed with dyslexia than dyscalculia; girls are more likely to slip through the net, as their general performance and levels of behaviour are higher than those of boys.
It is not surprising that your daughter struggles with maths. Even if a dyslexic child is competent with number computation, the way their brain processes language and information is likely to make word problems and the application of mathematical concepts very challenging.
In addition, dyslexic students often have short- and long-term memory issues, making the retention of maths concepts and rote learning of times tables difficult. The complexities and inconsistencies of maths rules can be particularly confusing.
Around 80 per cent of students with dyscalculia have other difficulties, such as dyslexia and speech or language problems. However, special needs departments in schools sometimes assign only one label to a child, which can lead to maths being sidelined when children need support in other areas of the curriculum. The limitations of diagnosis, and finite human resources, may result in a lack of special educational maths plans for pupils like your daughter.