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Any help appreciated
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| Loislane |
Posted on June 15 2012 08:27 PM
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Member
Location: UK
Posts: 6
Joined: 2012-06-15
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I'm Louise, living in the uk. My 14 year old daughter has fetal alcohol syndrome and associated severe dyscalculia.
Her teacher has phoned today - she is t a non mainstream school-'to say they are all feeling a little disheartened about Nattie - she tries hard and is attentive and well behaved, but her end of year stats show her Maths skills at age 5. She can't tell the time and if she has 3 pennies, she has more than if she has one 10 p. she can't count in twos or tens. She reads well, but her comprehension is low.
She doesn't appear to retain anything. I would like to hear from anyone with a child with similar problems and any solutions to the seemingly impossible problems
Thank you |
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| justfoundout |
Posted on June 15 2012 09:21 PM
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Member
Location: Texas USA
Posts: 6102
Joined: 2008-05-25
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6/15/12
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. So much more than this, I'd like to say. And though I've heard of few cases of dyscalculia so severe as you've described, all of us here will relate to the 'she tries so hard' part of your story.
Loislane, what you've described sounds to me like it might be something called 'acalculia'. Have any of your advisors there mentioned this word to you? Other 'key words' in your story are where you say "She doesn't appear to retain anything". Some dyscalculics, even those with severe dyscalculia, can make a little progress if they still have some 'memory' left. For example, I am diagnosed as dyscalculic, but I was able to memorize a string of numbers when I was younger, and by counting off on my fingers, I learned my 7's times tables. I didn't learn all of my times tables. But, I'm just giving you this as an example of someone who is dyscalculic and still has some memory function left, and what can be accomplished.
How wonderful that she is well-behaved and attentive, as this will engratiate her to others now and in years to come. Think of all the 'math gurus' who don't have these attractive qualities, and who alienate those around them.
Please try this. Get some 'kits' of manual handiwork,... perhaps something where she has to go in and out of holes with a large needle and thread. Then try embroidery,... something on heavy needlepoint fabric. The bargello designs are beautiful. I'm mentioning this because, when doing these designs, you have to go over one hole, then under two holes,... or over three holes and backing up, go under four holes. But the beauty of the colored yarns keeps ones interest alive in keeping count, all the while, copying the color pattern that comes in the kit.
http://www.google...mp;bih=955
Even if you don't feel inclined to try this idea, I hope that it will give you other ideas of something that you and your daughter both like to do that will support her grasp of numbers and counting. Please write us more, so that others can give their input. Also, here's a link to a Wikipedia article on 'acalculia'. See if, perhaps, this is the right word for her situation, rather than dyscalculia. - jus'
http://en.wikiped.../Acalculia
Edited by justfoundout on June 15 2012 09:24 PM |
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| Loislane |
Posted on June 15 2012 09:44 PM
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Member
Location: UK
Posts: 6
Joined: 2012-06-15
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Thank you for your reply. I haven't heard of acalculia, but she has always had the problem, so it doesn't seem to fit. However all the symptoms do! She cant do one more, one less. I will give the kits a try although her fine motor skills are quite poor, and this is the sort of thing that she avoids. Maybe all the more reason to at least try.
Thank you
Louise |
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| heathermomster |
Posted on June 16 2012 09:27 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 217
Joined: 2010-09-08
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Hi there,
Have you ever visited the WTM forum? If not, go there and inquire about learning helps in the Special Needs Forum. The moms there are wonderful and may advise you about curriculum, supplements, testing, and therapies.
Has your DD had a full OT eval or NP assessment? I suspect both evaluations and therapy work would be helpful.
Blessings, Heather
Edited by heathermomster on June 16 2012 09:47 AM |
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| Loislane |
Posted on June 16 2012 09:38 PM
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Member
Location: UK
Posts: 6
Joined: 2012-06-15
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Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry, but I don't understand your acronyms, so am not sure what to reply! If you could explain that would be great |
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| heathermomster |
Posted on June 17 2012 02:16 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 217
Joined: 2010-09-08
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Sorry about that...
OT eval - occupational therapist evaluation
NP- neuropsychology report administered by a PhD Neuropsychologist
WTM - Well Trained Mind Forum
http://www.welltr...ay.php?f=6 |
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on June 19 2012 01:55 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 3040
Joined: 2008-12-31
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welcome, Loislane!
I don't have any kids and others have some good thoughts here but I just wanted to say hey
I can imagine what you've had to do and still continue with your daughter, best wishes for both of you! |
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| Asdfghjklove |
Posted on June 24 2012 03:08 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 3
Joined: 2012-06-24
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Hi,
I've been having problems with mixing up letters and numbers since I started writing. I mostly transpose t's & 2's. I can sit there and go okay I'm going to write "the" and I will write "2he" I'll erase the 2 then go okay this time I'm going to write a "t" and I'll still write a "2" this happens fairly often. I also have a hard Time remembering formulas in math. I can learn it one day and the next it is completely gone from my mind or I'll be able to remember the formula and have no idea what the formula is for. Lastly I'll have periods of time usually 30 mins to an hour where I just cannot focus on anything if I'm at school when it happens and I'm doing a worksheet or something similar I just will not be able to recall facts or do math or anything I usually just put my head down and wait for class to be over because what am I supposed to tell my teacher other than I don't know any of the answers. I am a hardworking student and take lots of notes so when I can't remember formulas I can look in my notes but other than that I really don't know how I can help myself
I haven't been diagnosed or even tested for discalculia but if any discalculics out ere think this sound like them or that I might possibly have some form of discalculia please reply and tell me I'm really desperate for answers |
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