Causes Of Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a life-long neurological condition and learning difficulty that causes trouble with understanding math and numerical concepts. It is also known as Gerstmann's syndrome, number agnosia, math dyslexia, and acalculia. This learning difficulty has a wide range of symptoms and affects individuals in different ways. Symptoms include difficulties with visualization and spatial concepts, directional confusion, trouble with processing time, and trouble with sequences. Diagnosis of dyscalculia is often completed in childhood and can be made by a qualified school psychologist or a special education teacher. Brian Butterworth designed a screening test for dyscalculia; the test is widely administered in school systems to identify students who present with symptoms of the disorder. Dyscalculia can occur together with other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, math anxiety, and executive functioning issues.

Let's look closely at some of the major causes of dyscalculia now.

Turner's Syndrome

Also referred to as Turner syndrome or gonadal dysgenesis, this disorder occurs when a female is born with a single X chromosome instead of the normal two X chromosomes females have. Turner's syndrome is rare, with about 200,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. The condition can be diagnosed at birth. As girls with Turner's syndrome grow up, one of the more noticeable symptoms of the disorder is they are shorter than their classmates. In addition to dyscalculia, the syndrome can also cause heart defects, high blood pressure, infertility, and delayed puberty. While it is a lifelong condition, treatments such as growth hormone therapy, estrogen replacement, and fertility treatments can assist in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Keep reading to reveal another potential cause of dyscalculia.