Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 4 Joined: 2012-05-19
I've been going back and forth about getting tested for dyscalculia for about a year now, and these are some of my quandaries, in addition to some of what I am seeing as symptoms.
I am currently studying in the UK, and will only be here for another month and a half. At this point, I feel it is too late to attempt to start the diagnosis process over here, besides, I will have no access to my records after I leave the UK. Once I am home, I will have a year break, then be applying for a Veterinary Medical Technology program not far from my home. I am slightly concerned by some aspects of this program, since I will have to relearn Trigonometry to test into the program and avoid taking a remedial math course. There will also be organic chemistry in this program.
My understanding is that it can be quite expensive to be tested as an individual, so I am considering waiting until I get accepted into the school, and going through their disabilities channel to get tested. This will obviously not help me as far as the pre-acceptance testing goes, but with other expenses on the horizon, I doubt I could pay out of pocket for an evaluation before then.
I am also wondering if it is even worth the cost of the test at this point. I am 24, will be 25 by the time I start this program, and have managed to make do in a world generally surrounded by math. I can and do calculate tips in my head. I can and do calculate the appropriate change in my head. I maintain a very tight budget, am constantly aware of the state of my bank account, and have savings set aside for future expenditures. In short, I would estimate that I function about as well as the average person, in a day-to-day job which does not require math.
However, I find that the slightest thing will distract me and cause me to lose track of tips or simple math in my head. I find that I am more likely to tip 20% than 15% because it is easier. I cannot follow directions and very frequently get lost or disoriented. I can look at a map (with named streets), and find a path from point A to point B and not miss a step getting there, but I cannot follow "drive 1.7 miles turn left" or multi-step directions. I cannot remember number sequences, even three digit addresses or phone numbers unless I dedicate time specifically to learning that number. I am loathe to make phone calls because of the frequency with which I add or switch numbers within the sequence. Without a break in a long sequence of numbers, I cannot read it correctly (this includes phone numbers written down like 1234567890). I struggle with doing simple math -- I can, for example, multiply, but cannot add or subtract in my head.
I'm not sure if some of my insecurity isn't from the fact that my mother majored in mathematics in college and both my brother and father are engineers. In my day to day life, I see that while it might take me a little longer to do some of the math required, I *can* get there, but I also see things that possibly indicate a larger issue to me (as put together in the symptoms of dyscalculia). I know that I can learn or relearn the mathematical equations in order to pass the test or the class, but it does take a lot of concentration and time from me. On the other hand, I can look at a pre-Calculus problem and spout off how to find the solution, even if I get the answer wrong myself.
Location: United States Posts: 1860 Joined: 2008-11-14
Ultimately, only you will be able to decide if it's worth your time and money to get tested and diagnosed. (Such a useful answer, right?)
You said yourself that you've done well enough in a world full of numbers, has that included academics in the past? Making it through real-world math and making it through academic math are two totally different things. I am also able to tip properly, count out my change (years of working at cash registers helped), etc. without too much of an issue. But there's no way I would have made it through all the math classes I needed in undergrad (Pre-Calculus Algebra, Trig, and Stats 1) without disability accommodations. It's a totally different scenario.
If you've been successful in math classes in the past with no accommodations, then maybe you don't need them. If you have dyscalculia though, they can help a lot. Things like unrestricted calculator use and extra time on tests can go a long way in reducing your mental stress and helping you avoid stupid mistakes that will cost you points on exams. You only get those kind of accommodations if you have a documented disability.
I do think you're smart to wait until you're actually IN the school setting to take advantage of their reduced-price testing, but at the same time, you need to be sure that A) your school actually offers the testing for someone in your program, and B) that you can get through the placement tests safely without accommodations, and not end up setting yourself back with remedial math.
Like I said, it's something that only you can ultimately decide. You will get more opinions and suggestions as others find this post, too. You've got several weeks to think about it while you're still abroad, so consider your options and do some Trig reviews. If you feel comfortable waiting until you get into school to get tested, great. If not, maybe consider looking into your state's vocational rehab centers for low-cost disability testing (if you qualify based on residency).
Also, welcome to the forum!
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." - Eric Hoffer
Location: Texas USA Posts: 6101 Joined: 2008-05-25
5/20/12
Hi adorkable,
Our forum member in London, tr3slunas, was tested last year. Here's the link to one of her conversations with another UK forum member, headintheclouds. http://www.dyscal...post_35371
The link tr3slunas posted last year wasn't working for me, so I looked around and found this one that 'is' working, on the same site that tr3slunas had suggested. It's through the Universtiy of Oxford. https://cohenkado....ox.ac.uk/
Click on 'test yourself' on the tab at the top of the page.
I didn't like it that you'd have to input your information to take their test, but that would be up to you to decide whether or not to do.
Anyway, of course Kat is right. It's up to you. Tr3slunas went on to finish her Masters degree, with the help of accommodations after her testing and diagnosis. Nice to meet you. - jus'
Edited by justfoundout on May 20 2012 06:17 PM
Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 4 Joined: 2012-05-19
Kat,
I managed to get through high school math courses without aid, but I was a B student at best. I did take Calculus my final year, which I almost failed. I understood how and when to apply what, but frequently got lost in long trains of numbers and lost points that way. I managed to exempt math for my undergraduate degree, so haven't reviewed anything in... six years or more.
I am confident with time to study, I can take the entry test and exempt any math the new school would require. I'm slightly more concerned about organic chemistry.
Location: United States Posts: 1860 Joined: 2008-11-14
aDorkable,
I totally understand what you mean by that. Conceptually I understand math. The underlying logical foundations of why this does this, and why this part of the equation is what it is, makes sense to me. But my brain does not see, comprehend, or manipulate numbers properly. That is where my kryptonite is with my particular flavor of dyscalculia - not the understanding of math so much as the symbolic numbers themselves.
I hope that you are able to test well in the entrance exam, that would be great so that you wouldn't have to take extra remedial math classes. In the case of classes like chem and physics, though, if you have to take those then I really would strongly encourage you to seek testing if available to you for a reasonable price. Like I said in my previous post, accommodations can go a long way towards success.
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." - Eric Hoffer
