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Hi folks, I'm glad I found this site. I've been lurking around here for days and decided to join:) Math is my biggest enemy. I've done poorly in math since I was a kid. I've been stuck in community college for the last 10 years and cannot transfer until I pass math. I somehow managed to pass arithmetic and pre-algebra on my second try. I have close to 80 units! and now I'm not allowed to take elementary algebra anymore because I've failed 3 times, which means I have to go to another college in another town and start over. I began searching for learning disorders and found this wonderful site. The thing is I'm not sure I have dyscalculia. I can do basic math, I can add, subtract, multiply and divide. I can tell time, I don't get lost easily, well with help of mapquest, i can do some simple mental math, but I still count with my fingers. My problem starts with algebra. I cannot comprehend it. As the teacher begins to explain it, I feel as my mind locks down and everything becomes a blur. I try so hard to comprehend everything , but it just doesn't make sense to me. I've stayed up late practicing, I've had tutoring, but it hasn't helped. I work with kids too and sometimes when I work with upper grades, I can't help them with math because I myself don't understand it. It is really embarrassing not to be able to help kids do their math work and to be stuck in college for so long because of math. I'm thinking of getting tested, but I'm unsure if I even have a disorder. I sometimes feel that maybe I haven't tried hard enough. I do feel I have anxiety towards math which I think comes from being embarrassed by teachers in the past. Any advice on whether to get tested or not? Many thanks!

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Hi katfizz!

I do suggest you get tested - the only way to get accommodations that could put someone with LD on a "level playing field" in a college or university environment oftentimes - is to get a professional diagnosis of math learning disability or dyscalculia.

I'm in my 30's and still count on my fingers; was also labeled as having "math anxiety" in high school. I failed remedial university math several times before self-referring for testing-

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6/5/12
Hey katfizz! We've got the same story! I got an A in Pre Algebra, failed Elementary Algebra three times, lost my funding, and had to go to a neighboring county's college to get funding again. Wow! They should scan our brains and have fun seeing the similarities. Yes, please get tested. Nice to meet you. - jus'

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Hi there,

Welcome...I just want to encourage you to get tested. Also, what degree are you seeking?

Heather

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Hi Katfizz,

I have similar issues to you. I can do basic math, but anything higher level, I cannot do and I do count on my fingers. I can read an analogue clock as well, but I definitely am directionless. I think with Dyscalculia, there are different degrees of it and some of us are at different levels than others. It doesn't mean we don't have it, we just have a different degree of it.

Do get tested. It may be the best decision you ever make with respect to your schooling.

Good luck to you. :)

Ladyhawke

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I'm kind alike that, I can add and multiply (subtraction and division take longer) but higher than that is no-go. What drove me nuts in school was that I could LEARN an algebraic function (after a long hard classroom session) but next day it'd be all gone like a dream.