Dyscalculia, and Engineering Majors

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So I want to be an engineer. I'm amazing with science, and I understand calculus on an intuitive level.
But I can't do basic math.

I don't know what to do. I want to go to college, but I'm terrified that I'm just going to fail every math class I take and end up getting kicked out of college.
Advice?

I'm not going to lie. Depending on how bad it is, it may limit or prevent you from doing something heavily mathematical.

That said, perhaps you can work on overcoming it with a specialist.

go to a local college and talk to someone in the engineering department.

If by basic math, you mean arithmetic, then you will likely just struggle through the first few math courses if they do not permit you to use a calculator. Most more advanced courses will either require the use of a calculator due to the type of functions the problem requires, or the "ugliness" of the numbers you are working with and calculating, or a calculator will be irrelevant because you will not actually be calculating anything.

If you can prove you have a learning disability, they might permit you to use a calculator for basic arithmetic in the lower math courses.

I am currently about to enter into Calculus III. This is what I discovered about myself to be able to at least make "C's" on exams. My brain is not typical. It is Asperger. My brain is designed biologically different than NT brains. People with typical brains tend to learn in a traditional sequential method. My brain learns differently. The brain pattern I come the closest to is Visual Spatial, only it is not visual spatial. It is Asperger. Researchers are studying the way in which we learn, but have not made great progress yet. I do not perform well on math tests. At times the problems on the paper read differently than what they are written on the paper. It is NOT dyslexia. It is what I have come to refer to as Asplexia. I make 100 percent in all of the homework, so I know I am learning the math. The best I can do on a math test are a few "B's" sprinkled in with a lot of "C's." I earn over 100 semester averages in all of my other classes. I am an Astrophysics major with a great love for particles and chemistry. Only it is more than a great love, it is what I am designed to do. If you can speak with the ADA office, they might be able to have someone read the problems on the test to you. This helps with Asplexia. In addition, if there were any way to find a professor that used a lot of visual spatial teaching techniques that would be exceptionally helpful too. The most important thing is to remember that you are AMAZING ! You CAN learn math. In the right environment with support from the NTs you could even do well and pass the math.
Best Regards,
Cyndi

I think it really depends on what you want to do for a career and what type of math you struggle most with. By all means, reach for the stars and go for your dreams, but if you struggle with word problems, especially word problems that involve you drawing pictures, engineering probably WILL be really hard for you. Certainly, you can succeed in the sciences if you have a math learning disability. I'm a neuroscientist, and I have NVLD. However, my area of specialty in my field does not require me to have calculus and physics. I've taken both courses, after I graduated, and they represent the upper level of my mathematical understanding. I actually have a great conceptual knowledge of modern physics and quantum mechanics, but I can't do the math to save my life. As for calculus, I actually am able to do differentiation problems, but I never could master integration past the conceptual reasoning and without seeing every single step written out.

What made me able to get so far with math is because I'm good with algebra. Luckily, the only math I need to know how to do is statistics and algebra. The way I got through visual-spatial math courses was by using my great memory for facts. I would memorize how to do different types of problems based on what the wording said and looking for patterns. Unfortunately, for me, there are just certain things that I truly CANNOT understand, no matter how much extra tutoring I may receive. Trigonometry and its graphs is one of these areas. I actually made it through trig/precalc in 12th grade with a "B," but that was only because I aced some of the college alegbra parts. I got several "D"s on trig exams, despite staying for extra help every day.

If by "basic math" you mean addition, subtraction, etc., you may very well be like LOTS of high-level mathematicians and physicists who can do multi-variate calculus and linear algebra in their sleep but struggle to do basic arithmetic. If this is the case, see if you can test out of the low-level courses and just dive right in to calculus. But if you mean that you struggle with basic math in general, where you aren't able to do algebra or geometry or higher-level math, then engineering as a major probably WILL be a great source of difficulty for you. If this is the case, keep in mind that lots of vocational types of engineers, like basic electricians, don't need the high-level math to do their job. To be an electrical engineer, yes, you need math and physics, but just to fix circuits and wires and lights in a house, you don't.

With respect, there are lots of people who will tell you all the reasons why you cannot accomplish something. Generally, by the time they get through listing all of the reasons why I cannot accomplishment something, I have already completed the task and moved on to the next thing. In truth, THEY cannot accomplish the task because they do not even try. YOU CAN accomplish the task if you have the tenaciousness to continue to work for it.

I did not believe I could even learn math. I began math in the very basic of fundamental math the college system offered. It took a lot of work and hours of analyzing researching and evaluating what would work for me to be able to learn.

You cannot listen to other people's failure to achieve and accomplish any task including and especially math. Eventually the college I was attending during this period in my education sent me a formal request to tutor other students. It was very productive because I had investigated every avenue conceivable in order to find ways to be able to learn.

It will be hard work, but if you truly want to be an engineer, you can accomplish the task.

MelodyC

You'll last 5 weeks, tops. If it's the prestige and the status you're after, forget it. Sounds to me like you're just trying to please your father.

The bolded part is beautifully written and describes me as well in my journey doing sciency science.
The remainder is great advice.

idratherbeatree, if you can limp along through the basic classes with a C or B, you'll probably just need to take 1 Calc level class and blow it out of the water to be taken seriously. The NT version of this is blowing up the basic classes and having grades regress as they progress (some of them) into calc or higher level maths. Get an interview with the department chair and professors who handle major acceptance at your target program's school. Explain to them your challenges. They see Aspies all the time in the engineering program.
I did this in Physics and Anatomy classes in my prep for Physical Therapy graduate programs. I'd never had a day of Physics (or math beyond basic algebra I limped through with a C in high school) and left my first semester of Physics with the engineering and math majors below me in the final grade ranking. 2nd place to a really bright Aspie girl fresh out of high school and with years of math and physics behind her.
However, I applied myself, so: as a generic warning for anyone reading along and you too, when and if you do gain a spot in an Engineering program, it's time to take the gloves off and live with 0 excuses. Go big or go home.