The Dyscalculia Forum

Posted by Cara on April 01 2006 02:53 AM

Hi there! I'm new, obviously, in fact I just learned there was such a thing as dyscalculia this morning. I'm going to get tested as soon as I can.
Reading everyone's posts here is really comforting to me, seeing as my whole life I've given up trying to be anything but a complete dunce in math. I'm in my second time taking (and failing) the most remedial algebra course at my college and was actually looking for a tutorial on factoring when I stumbled across the term. Throughout middle school and high school, I would get by with guessing on tests and pass with Ds, giving up after a while. During that time it didn't bother me at all that I couldn't do math, or figure tips, or what time it would be when something came out of the oven, that's what calculators are for after all! But then in this college course calculators aren't allowed, so I buckled down and studied harder than I've ever studying for anything, only to fail miserably. The fact that I actually put effort into math after going so long figuring it wasn't any use so why try and hadn't succeeded really got to me, like not trying couldn't be my excuse anymore, that I really was a complete moron who couldn't do simple math. And because of this I get so emotional talking about it, I'm scared to get a tutor for fear of bursting into tears when he asks me to add!
The only thing I'm worried about now is getting tested and NOT being diagnosed with having dyscalculia, which would mean that everything really is my fault and I'm stupid. :-(

Posted by BadInMath19 on April 01 2006 07:15 AM

Have confidence in yourself. I know that is an easy thing to say, but know that you are not alone in all of this. Your story sounds like mine, and just about everyone else on this site. Definitely get tested, it will help you have the tools to get through your math classes. I do know how you feel though. I am done with my BS degree, but the only reason that I passed was because my math teacher that I knew well took pitty on me and GAVE me a B in statistics....that is after stuggling in the remedial classes just to get into that class. What a gift that was. Of cousre no one ever knew!! I just found out baout about this learning disability myself.....I never knew there were others!!!! I have not been tested myself yet, but I plan on it. Just know that you are NOT stupid!!!!:D

Posted by PuNitrate on April 01 2006 09:06 PM

Cara wrote:
Hi there! I'm new, obviously, in fact I just learned there was such a thing as dyscalculia this morning. I'm going to get tested as soon as I can.
Reading everyone's posts here is really comforting to me, seeing as my whole life I've given up trying to be anything but a complete dunce in math. I'm in my second time taking (and failing) the most remedial algebra course at my college and was actually looking for a tutorial on factoring when I stumbled across the term. Throughout middle school and high school, I would get by with guessing on tests and pass with Ds, giving up after a while. During that time it didn't bother me at all that I couldn't do math, or figure tips, or what time it would be when something came out of the oven, that's what calculators are for after all! But then in this college course calculators aren't allowed, so I buckled down and studied harder than I've ever studying for anything, only to fail miserably. The fact that I actually put effort into math after going so long figuring it wasn't any use so why try and hadn't succeeded really got to me, like not trying couldn't be my excuse anymore, that I really was a complete moron who couldn't do simple math. And because of this I get so emotional talking about it, I'm scared to get a tutor for fear of bursting into tears when he asks me to add!
The only thing I'm worried about now is getting tested and NOT being diagnosed with having dyscalculia, which would mean that everything really is my fault and I'm stupid. :-(

Hi Cara :)

Welcome!

First, second, and lastly, you are NOT a dunce. Obviously you're not if you've tried, failed, and attempted to adapt. It's about brain diversity. :) Math sucks, plain and simple. It's just that, for us, it sucks worse and, in turn, builds frustration's 8th circle of Hell.

Don't be afraid to ask for help; even if you fail again, you'll know that you have nothing to be ashamed. But also be aware that dyscalculia is less known than dyslexia, so little research has been done. If you have the time, experiment--what helped me learn to add in second grade (I was behind the other kids) was tangible addition. Since I couldn't (and sometimes still can't) remember the mere facts, I had to learn what it meant. I used fingers, paper clips, anything to which I could associate meaning. (Perhaps members with more severe symptoms can add more.) This may work or it may not; the point is that failure is not always a bad thing. You may not get in the third or even the millionth time. It doesn't mean you're stupid or deficient. You're unique and that's OKAY.

Good luck and let us know how it went!