Asperger's & dyscalculia?
I have this problem exactly - basic math not an issue, addition, subtraction, multiplication - NP...long division becomes a chore, as do fractions, then when you start writing out series' of numbers like cuneiform scribbling, and tossing alphabetic characters into the mix, no less - my brain simply shuts down. Not because I don't understand the problem - give it to me as something I can visualize and I'll get the correct answer most of the time, though it won't be by the algebra teacher's methods.
To my brain, algebraic methods defy logic the instant they start substituting letters for numbers. Letters represent vocal sounds, not amounts - there's a whole separate set of characters for that and they don't go together. When that insanity starts, my brain just refuses to look - its very nearly a physical aversion - not because I'm too stupid to see it, more like I just involuntarily refuse to acknowledge the information in that form.
Bad enough that the symbol for multiplication is an X. Must we go completely insane?
That's also my issue, as I could do basic math and was able to memorize multiplication tables, but long division was when I started having problems, that got worse as I took algebra. It was especially bad because I had a teacher who got on my case for using the calculator "too much" during class, and this wasn't even during an exam. I was extremely lucky to have graduated high school when I did, because there's no way I would have passed the math portion of the exit exam that students have to pass now in order to get a diploma.
_________________
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason,
and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- Galileo Galilei
I believe I may have dyscalculia as I have an extremely difficult time with mathematics.
When I was in primary school 6-11 yrs old, I was in a special class with one other boy.
When I was in secondary school 11-16 yrs old I wasn't in a special class as they didn't have them, but I did and was expected to come last in every maths test. I just don't get it.
However, many years later whilst at college myself and a few friends were told that we needed to understand algebra, so we went to free maths tutoring in the local library (one-to-one). We began the algebra exercise books except I couldn't do it, so the lady to me to one side and had to show me countless ways of how algebra worked until we found a way which clicked. To my surprise I took to it like a fish to water and quickly and easily surpassed my two friends who were way ahead of me. However, once I stopped using it I lost the understanding like everything else. This made me realise that I'm not stupid when it comes to maths, it's just that it takes a lot of one-to-one to help me understand it.
But I do know that mathematically, even counting money, I'm a lot slower than others and need a lot of help.
I have dyscalculia. But I still manage a narrow B in Math. Numbers are so freaking annoying. They never sit still and I read them backwards or they look like another number. Not pleasant, but at all. Basically dyslexia for math.
_________________
Shedding your shell can be hard.
Diagnosed Level 1 autism, Tourettes + ADHD + OCD age 9, recovering Borderline personality disorder (age 16)
Are you able to follow a moderately complex argument expressed in verbal (non-mathematical) form? I am asking the question to see if you trouble is following the logic or grasping the process of abstraction that is implicit in mathematical applications.
ruveyn
I understand what pezar just said, it's stimulating to hear it from someone else who gets that maths is hard. when I read up about the condition, I didn't quite believe it at first, but now, I have come to realise, it brought on a mild stutter, and the vile teachers tried to imply,'she isn't learning best see a speech therapist.' what has speech got to do with numerical processing? I had trouble with numbers not the whole literacy debate about my speech in question. that is why when I see some newly diagnosed people out there who claim to know maths but don't have a clue really, it makes me think, but u sound like someone who can grasp literacy well,(if they can) but most of them cant, so their actions and behaviours are mimicking a far outcry of someone who is less than capable of holding onto a convo stratedgy. whether u have high functioning or low functioning As, it shouldn't matter as long as one of these critieria are met, then social reproduction can be helped.
ruveyn , you need to time this verbal argument, as it appears to be getting you in the bad books of someone else..
I apologize for bringing up a long dead post, especially doing so with a novel of a post, but I am new to the forums and this is the topic that piqued by interest in signing up.
I am diagnosed, unofficially, as an aspie. I have just learned that dyscalculia is a thing, and I have a strong feeling that it is my biggest problem with my grades in math, physics, and chemistry. Mine, if it is the case, is a bit atypical of the LD, from what I understand, so I would like to hear opinions about if I have it or not.
When I was young, I always struggled with learning the multiplication tables, especially doing those stupid timed tests with a list of 50 multiplication questions that we needed to finish in 5 minutes or less. In highschool I pretty much skated by, making A’s and B’s in most classes without ever studying. In math, I actually had to work hard for the B’s and C’s that I received.
In college, 6 years after my last math class in highschool (I'm a non-traditional student), I needed to take a math placement test because my ACT scores were too old to count. The test was multiple choice, 5 choices each, and untimed. While taking the test, I saw 4 people walk into the room long after I started, take the test, and leave. I was thinking to myself that I was doing terrible because I was taking so long. The test covered everything from basic algebra to pre-calculus; the test even had a few limit questions on it. After I finished, I went to receive my score expecting to have bombed it. To my surprise, I didn't miss one question and it suggested that I go straight into calc 1. Mind you, this was before I discovered that I was an aspie, and the highest level math course that I had previously taken was algebra 2 in highschool. I knew no trig, and no calculus or advanced geometry. I somehow was able to see which answers were correct from the choices without having been exposed to the material.
In my math classes during college, I struggled extensively. I would think that I understood the concepts, but always got the wrong answer. In result, I ended up in my professor’s office asking for help. In the office, the teacher told me that I was extremely quick when it came to understanding the concepts, and that I was making logical jumps that I shouldn't have been able to make without first learning key concepts that were required to understand them. As an example, I asked the professor if I could do something, and he asked me if I had ever been exposed to calculus. I explained that I had not, and he told me that I had accidentally figured out the basic concept of calculus without being taught. He also told me that my pattern recognition skills were better and faster than he had ever seen.
So apparently, I have almost savant-like qualities when it comes to abstract mathematical concepts, but when I actually go to solve a problem, I screw up the basic arithmetic nearly every time. This has caused me heart and headache over the last few years as I have poured hours of my time into trying to fix this flaw in my learning, to no avail.
From what I understand, dyscalculia usually works in the opposite way, or am I mistaken about that?
Does anyone else have these problems, or can anyone offer me advice about this?
Are you able to follow a moderately complex argument expressed in verbal (non-mathematical) form? I am asking the question to see if you trouble is following the logic or grasping the process of abstraction that is implicit in mathematical applications.
ruveyn
That's kind of insulting, since Pezar's post was composed clearly and articulately and demonstrates a better than average IQ. For someone to work well with computers, they have to be able to follow logic sequences.
I have this problem exactly - basic math not an issue, addition, subtraction, multiplication - NP...long division becomes a chore, as do fractions, then when you start writing out series' of numbers like cuneiform scribbling, and tossing alphabetic characters into the mix, no less - my brain simply shuts down. Not because I don't understand the problem - give it to me as something I can visualize and I'll get the correct answer most of the time, though it won't be by the algebra teacher's methods.
To my brain, algebraic methods defy logic the instant they start substituting letters for numbers. Letters represent vocal sounds, not amounts - there's a whole separate set of characters for that and they don't go together. When that insanity starts, my brain just refuses to look - its very nearly a physical aversion - not because I'm too stupid to see it, more like I just involuntarily refuse to acknowledge the information in that form.
Bad enough that the symbol for multiplication is an X. Must we go completely insane?
Ever since I can remember i was never great at math but middle school and up was extremely tough.
I've wanted to go to college ever since high school was over (2008) . I attempted a few times but id always fail the math section of the PERT test in FL. (and florida is already behind in curriculum ) I've attended adult education classes and refresher courses after highschool as well (provided by fscj).
It didn't help. After years of frustration i decided to take a breather for a while, regain focused and try again later on......maybe?
My latest attempt was about 2 months ago. Of course I failed.
I can handle basic math like most! It's when the problem isnt visual, i dont comprehend it. (ie:letters for numbers etc)
Even if a problem was JUST explained to me and broken down SOOO intricately, I may even get it for a millisecond and then itll disappear from my brain completely as if i never seen it before in my entire life.
Not only does this affect me financially and academically, It has put me in a state of depression.
I'm antisocial, 25, and never even had a boyfriend.
Since I can't purchase a degree,
Can someone inspire me?
Please help I would like to start living a real life
What should I do?
DestinedToBeAPotato
Sea Gull
Joined: 31 Jan 2015
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Posts: 238
Location: floating on the molecular clouds of interstellar space
I guess that explains why I am absolutely terrible at maths. I often get numbers muddled up and it often takes a really long time to process it. I have always struggled with mathematics, so I guess dyscalculia is a plausible explanation.
_________________
Campin_Cat
Veteran
Joined: 6 May 2014
Age: 63
Gender: Female
Posts: 25,953
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
I've wanted to go to college ever since high school was over (2008) . I attempted a few times but id always fail the math section of the PERT test in FL. (and florida is already behind in curriculum ) I've attended adult education classes and refresher courses after highschool as well (provided by fscj).
It didn't help. After years of frustration i decided to take a breather for a while, regain focused and try again later on......maybe?
My latest attempt was about 2 months ago. Of course I failed.
I can handle basic math like most! It's when the problem isnt visual, i dont comprehend it. (ie:letters for numbers etc)
Even if a problem was JUST explained to me and broken down SOOO intricately, I may even get it for a millisecond and then itll disappear from my brain completely as if i never seen it before in my entire life.
Not only does this affect me financially and academically, It has put me in a state of depression.
I'm antisocial, 25, and never even had a boyfriend.
Since I can't purchase a degree,
Can someone inspire me?
Please help I would like to start living a real life
What should I do?
Well, there might be a couple of things, you can do.....
First, there's an EXCELLENT guy, that DEMONSTRATES mathematics (along with some other subjects), for FREE, on the Internet----here's his website:
http://www.khanacademy.org
He's VERY good!
I feel your problem MIGHT be that you're not "practicing", consistently. You can't just have someone teach it to you----even though you said someone HAS, very thoroughly----and then, be like "I've GOT IT!", and then several days / weeks / months, later, take a test. This is something you have to do everyday, everyday, everyday! I'm thinking..... Maybe you could set a time----say, an hour-a-day (you don't want it to be TOO long, cuz then you'll just feel overwhelmed, and that'll make you wanna give-up)----then, have a lesson (SAME time, every day, would be good). Maybe, do this for a month----or, do it from now 'til the next scheduled exam----and, maybe you'll be able to pass. Also, hopefully, you'll not only be able to pass the test, but you'll RETAIN what you've learned. It's just like someone who plays an instrument, for instance----they have to practice, practice, practice----they don't just get taught, one day, and are able to play in an orchestra, the next (well, there ARE those savants, but.....)!
If you won't be able to learn unless you're in the same room with your "teacher", I would suggest hiring someone (a tutor) from a local High School or College----they would come, much more cheaply; OR, maybe someone in your family has "a math brain"? But, again----it HAS TO BE someone who will teach you on a CONSISTENT basis----I would say NO LESS THAN 3 times, per week!
I'm right there, with ya----it took me about 10 years, give-or-take, to learn algebra----then, all-of-a-sudden, it just clicked; and then, I just did math every single chance I got----going to math websites, and such----I LOVE math, but it doesn't love ME!! LOL
Good Luck!!
_________________
White female; age 59; diagnosed Aspie.
I use caps for emphasis----I'm NOT angry or shouting. I use caps like others use italics, underline, or bold.
"What we know is a drop; what we don't know, is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
All of these things sound just like me- I failed algebra 1 three times before passing a very low level class with a D. I always tried to explain that numbers do not make SENSE to me! The one thing I was always good at? Word problems. I was the only one in honors level algebra 1 (which was the first one I failed out of) to "get" word problems when no one else did. I memorized a lot of things you can count to with your fingers but anything after long division was it for me. I got my GED and haven't mathed since.
AspiePrincess611
Deinonychus
Joined: 5 Jun 2019
Gender: Female
Posts: 354
Location: at the Mountains of Madness
Hi. I have both High-Functioning Autism and dyscalculia. I was just diagnosed last year. I also have ADHD (inattentive type), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder. I'm also a single mom and a survivior of domestic violence. I am currently functioning very well with the help of psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, medications, and my biggest helper, my mom, to whom I owe my life. Right now, I'm a happy girl I have had struggles, but I managed to get A's all through school in all classes except math. I even graduated college with honors and a bachelor's degree in geography and geoscience, all without accomodations or a diagnosis. I have had trouble keeping jobs due to my various challenges. I am now working on my certification to be a science teacher. I do have trouble with the concept of left and right, and I wear a ring on one hand to help me. I recently learned that this is part of the dyscalculia. I took the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test and scored a 142 on verbal reasoning but in the 80's on the perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed tests. I love trivia games, reading, and writing. My son is 14 and also has ADHD and dyscalculia. He has some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, such as tics and obsessive interests, but does not struggle socially the way I do. I feel we are very luck in that.
cherryglitter
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: 28 Feb 2019
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 28
Location: Riverside, CA
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