Dyscalculia: The Devil & His Reign of Mathematics Terror :)

[TheAwakenedArtist]

I am so happy I found your videos on dyscalculia! Happy tears actually. I am 39 years old and nobody has been able to figure out why I can't even do simple grade school math. I can't even help my kids with thier homework. School was pure hell for me. Teachers screamed at me in frustration. I was called stupid by everyone. I was tested in 7th gradeb and discovered I have above average intelligence. But with math, there was no name to call it back then. Anyway thank you!

[townkevin59]

I am 40 and I don't have my GED, despite several attempts, because I can't understand math. I just found out today what it's called and I never knew all this time. I can't make change, or add up the total in a dice game quick, etc. I just can't grasp math, it is extremely difficult for me and when someone tries to teach it to me repeatedly, I still don't understand. I am embarrassed that I don't have a simple dumb GED at my age, but I just keep failing it over and over because of the math.

[route33east]

take a look at how the mayans did math its amazing it will help i believe but i saw a program were all the smartest people are like us they have dyscalculia an the other one einstein ,mosart,and many others also there is a new program called brainetic i believe the guy helps kids learn huge problems in minutes please look them up

[throwinguprainbowss]

I haveDyscalculia and ADHD.. I suck at grammer, and math, and I am not even that good at art, Ieven suck at sports and musical instruments.. the only thing im good at is reading and only things i like! i cant read boring things... so how the fudgnuggets to i make a career out of that!? D: also im a critical thinker so I'm super comprehensive but still dont want to read boring things! sigh.. life sucks.

[sk1972]

OH my god , I'm so much like you it's not even funny. By the way I've heard and/or read more then once that the numerical system is flawed. I don't know my IQ but I'm no dummy otherwise. Maybe it's because it relies on memorization? I don't know why they say that but it has been said. I suck at music theory too but I'm pretty good at music. oh well I geuss at least we can say we're not philisophical zombies right?

[MichaelaLeach]

Almost everything you said are things I have trouble with. It feels so amazing to know that other people have the same problems I do. My whole life I've been told that I'm just stupid when it comes to math, but people don't understand that it's a learning disorder. Actually I thought my symptoms like being unable to count change, bad sense of direction and inability to do basic math we just me being stupid. Little did I know I've had dyscalculia all along.

[metalmike83]

So you say you are just below genius IQ level....do you mind if I ask where you were tested and what test was used?

[seharris11]

@metalmike83 Sure! I don't regard myself as a genius whatsoever as my math disability affects a lot of aspects in my life, but I took a HUGE 6-8 hours psychological test (DSM-IV) or "DSM 4" and scored high above average on everything but math. I'm at a 5th grade level math :( I'll have to go look through the papers at my parents house but we're visiting them today so I can actually check!

[UniverseOffspring]

@seharris11 You may be at a level of 5th grade in math, but you're in a P.h.d level in my pants. :-)

[seharris11]

@metalmike83 What you wrote in this comment was outrageous and I'm glad you realized that and removed it. You obviously need to research different types of intelligence and how intelligence is actually measured. People can have a disability and still be quite brilliant. You sincerely need to go educate yourself rather than make fun of people who are disabled. No one respects someone who makes fun of disabled people. Wow.

[metalmike83]

@seharris11 Well, you said you were borderline genius. I happen to have a bachelors degree in psychology and have personally administered IQ tests. And I can tell you they are complete bullshit. How does knowing who the Queen of England was in 1914 relate to your intelligence? Are they aware of their own cultural bias or just too damn lazy to do anything about it? A true genius is someone who can do stuff the rest of us can't. Just because you're disabled doesn't make you immune to criticism.

[metalmike83]

@seharris11 That being said, I didn't mean to sound offensive, that's why I removed my comment. I'm sorry.

[rimaggio]

Such a great statement to help others!  Thank you!

[pizzasuits]

YES exactly, Tutors are such a quick fix sollution that people without dyscalcula are so fucking quick to spit out. Its not that we are stuiped. hell, Its a FILTRATION & MEMORY thing..........not a "EERRR im dumb, help ,me with the answers thing". Hey, i feel your pain. directions kill me and I dont play cards either. College math is hell suicide.

[chetdog]

i would really like to sleep with you right now.

[myrickman]

ok once again looking in a mirror the finger thing same here well the whole video same I'm just glad it I'm not alone : )

thanks again for this : )

[Laura72491]

I'm like 932uodfskjlnfikhdnf sooooooooo sure I have this. I just don't know how to get tested or what good it would do me at 18.

[MichiganPRA]

Well if you're planning on going to college I'd definitely get tested and document it but if not its always good to know your disability so you can explain to others lol some still won't understand but oh well ;) I function well in everyday life but with mathematical academics no thank you haha I just use digital watches, calculators etc to get by

[Laura72491]

Yeah, usually my math skills aren't a problem in normal life except for the occasional embarrassment. I just avoid dancing and always keep my cell phone with me and a GPS in the car.

Do I just call up my school's disability services place and go from there?

[ragdollz2]

How nice it is to be in such good company. I too suffer the same problem with math. It would be nice if something could be done about it. I can't even advance in my job because of this little learning disability. My manager does not seem to get it.

[GreenSeafoam]

Something does need to be done. We need to raise awareness. I want to do something.. I have not painting for drawing talent, but I am a writer, I'm 27, been a reporter, and now starting a new local children's magazine. It's like to write something the general public about LD's and dyscalculia. Thank you for sharing this.

[Dandieelionn]

I know EXACTLY what youre talking about when you say the numbers "disolve" in your head when youre trying to solve a problem!!! i thought i was the only one

[theatregal93]

Thank-you!! I'm TOTALLY the same. I can't read an analog clock, North-South-East-West don't make ANY sense to me, I HATE paying for things, I still have trouble with my locker, my time-tables are bad enough to make me want to cry in Math class...!

But how do you get tested for this? I'm in grade 11, but I've been homeschooled for my whole life up to this year.

[liahhx]

Thanks RobYn101666 :) great help

[ilovesondheim]

I completely relate to almost everything you said. I have Dyscalculia as well. Ever since I was young I wanted to hide what I have and my struggles but now recently I have come to accept what I have and I applaud you for posting a video about this! Not many people know and it's about time people understand about this!!

[liahhx]

Heyyar, im 12 yrs old .... and i have dyscaculica and i really want to know if it has anything to do with hearing loss ???

I just thought you might know cause i cant find a website or any answers that just tell me stright :) thank you

p.s:: your video really helped me

[RobYn101666]

dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia are all conditions very closely related. it could be that your symptoms spill over into one of the others even if you dont have it.

it could be that you are 'under sensitive' to sound. but im no doctor...

[Valefarous]

I don't have dyscalculia (I am actually surviving pretty easily in calc 2 this quarter, so I've been very lucky in that regard) but I do have a little trouble with time, more or less. I have trouble fixing dates to events or judging the passage of time. Like if someone asked me whether something happened last month or last year, it takes me a bit of effort sometimes to work out just how far back it was - I usually have to think whether it was around a known event, and it takes time to do.

[RobYn101666]

Thanks 4 making this video. I can relate to everything you said. Especially about the clocks. Just 2 days ago I got to an appointment an hour early cos I was looking at the analouge clock, I checked my phone 2 late. Was rather irritating.

People can mistake me 4 being stupid as I have dyspraxic symptoms also. There needs to be more awareness about dyscalculia so something can be done to help those who have it.

[Serenityblu23]

I have the same problem but have never been tested for it before :( don't know a place that can test me for it.

[Serenityblu23]

@Serenityblu23 , I finally got tested for it. So how are you?

[pintomedhat]

Bless your heart Samantha and hooray for you for making this video. HELLO people, because someone has a disability does not mean they are dumb...I tell my students "LD does not equal stupid." I'll bet you are a very talented artist and thank God you are...how dull would the world be without the arts! Many a mathematician can't even draw a stick figure!

[Milkimu]

Thanks for the video, might make my own someday. You should show us your art :)

[mimanil]

Thank you for making this video because I don't know much dyscalculic people. You make us realize we are not 'on our own' and thanks to the Internet people can give each other tips. Thanks a lot

Sorry for my english I'm French

[kyarimaresuki]

Your situation is very similar to mine. Your counting change story was familiar to me--I've gotten retail jobs just to try and "help myself", but ended up failing horribly at the register. I cannot play many games where I must count but also remember even simple rules. Directions & clocks I have gotten better with, but maps have been challenging. Only art school seemed possible--I've done some of this. It seems that people think I'm very smart or well-educated until these things come up.

[TwistedxKiss]

If things don't work out with suing MSU, University of Michigan's school of Literature, Science, and the Arts has no math requirement anyway, so I am managing to get my political science degree there with no math. Couldn't resist the plug. :P

[bNoX81]

well its official, i am dyscalculic. An educational psychologist has assessed me and told me i do fall into the dyscalculic category......after testing me somewhat he said that my Language/English fell into the top 10% of people and my maths into the bottom 4% lol some contrast huh, but seemingly a common trait in Dyscalculics.

[bNoX81]

Im currently being assesed for Dyscalculia and i can totaly relate to what your saying, so much so i feel as though i know you! great video such a big help for dyscalculics.....

[boofighter]

thank you for posting this video. i am 32 and just was diagnosed with dyscalculia. what you described about your life growing up is so similar to what i have gone through. i grew up in a small rural town and they just did not get the idea that i could not grasp the math concepts. they would make me do more math just to make sure that i would learn.

thank you so much for you help in putting this out there. i think that i will make a video to tell my story.

[seharris11]

Who's last name? Mine or Elaine High? Or who?

[starsrgreen]

what is her last name.

im doing a project in my class about and im reading a book about this and i wanna know if it is the sme person

[Mezzinic]

That is so like myself also; counting on my fingers, numbers that disappear in my head, artistic, above average in language skills, and so on. I don't like dyscalculia being called Maths Dyslexia because it is different and I feel the term gives a 'wrong' understanding.

[sugarkaneandchloe]

I dont like it being called 'Maths Dyslexia' either, it's not numbers only.....it's so many things isn't it !!!!

[betzeeboston]

Oh My God!!!! It's like you're describing ME!!! I can totally relate to you, and I can't even describe how good it feels hearing you say all that! I also don't wear a watch for the exact same reason, I do the whole countung on my fingers thing like a pro, Everything...I am also a painter, I went to The Museum School of Fine Art in Boston, because they do not require any academics, just 4 years of studio time. Awesome video!

[moondreamer68]

Hi. I have dyscalculia as well, and live in MI... and I finally found a trade school with a program that didn't require math, but I lucked out because even trade schools usually require it. I just wanted you know I really liked this video, and I totally feel everything you talked about.

[elizabetoorose]

I was diagnosed with Dyscalculia at 17 and miraculously my college math requirements were waived! I have the great people of the disabilities services to thank for that.

Life is in no way easy with Dyscalculia, but it can be manageable with some creativity and support. I find it to be an odd blessing. For all that my mind cannot comprehend, it also compensates in other areas.

Final thing - If you feel that you have Dyscalculia, by all means GET TESTED! Spread the word!

[guyonfire87]

i have dyscalculia but the man that confirmed me that i had it said that i have an easyer form of it like i know how to plus and minus things the thing that i wasnt good at was the klock and reading math problems and remember so its a hell 4 me

[McDreamyReturns]

Nice explanation of the disability, I'm also dyscalculic so I totally get where you're coming from. And don't worry, you're not the only one who's been asked if they were on drugs because you were so slow counting change! :)

[TwistedxKiss]

A counselor at UM told me that if I took sociology or something for my quantitative reasoning requirement, I could actually get away with doing no math at all for poli sci. I hope she's not lying but I remain skeptical. My biggest worry at the moment is not getting into UM because at MSU, GVSU, etc they DO require a math class and I don't know what I'd do if I had to go there. I was pondering the legal route myself but wasn't sure how to start, so let me know how things turn out for you!

[seharris11]

MSU requires, for a common BA, their course MTH110 and above. If you're going to be specializing in anything more involving nature sciences and such you'll probably have to complete something a bit higher? If MSU doesn't allow this subsitution I'm sueing for a lot of money and hopefully we'll get a law passed that enables universities to require a lower/less math course? Haha we'll see...hmm...

[cherrizs]

@seharris11 i sure hope so...lol

[TwistedxKiss]

Hey! I'm a Michigan dyscalculic with high IQ, too. :P What math requirement does MSU have, do you know? I'm a poli sci major so I should just need the gen ed req but I don't know what it is there. I go to Schoolcraft in Livonia and am hoping to transfer to MSU or U of M. :)

[seharris11]

Hey thanks! Yeah I found the forum, awesome site and at least someone is putting the effort into providing the public with some information they can use. The disability center here at MSU won't even read up on our disability...ironically we're currently dealing with Legal Aid/Student Defenders as well haha. I'm a fighter and someone needs to pave the way! :) I'd love to be a spokeman if there ever were a campaign....maybe somewhere in the distant future of 2053 they'll get around to it ;)

[ellyodd]

Hm, can't post links in comments. Anyway, featured your video on the front page of the dyscalculia forum because it was so good :)

Google the dyscalculia forum and you'll find it :)

[kellann55]

also, I am VERY creative. I paint, write poetry, and short stories. I've also noticed by reading that dyscalculics are very musical but not good with reading music. I have a profound connection to music, nothing moves me more. I also learned recently that dyscalculia is also linked w/ low latent inhibition, or the inability to shut out incoming stumuli and focus on a task exclusivley. The good= a hyper alert individual that "sees" more than others. The bad= being overwhelmed w/ stimuli.

[kellann55]

thanks for this great video! I think I have this condition as well. I dont have a problem with mental maps or clocks, but math is another issue. Its impossible to do mental math for me, as you said, the numbers dissolve in mid calculation and you've lost your top row of numbers before you've pictured the bottom numbers! Remembering operations is impossible, I can know it and "get it" and an hour later its gone, like it was never there and I have to constantly RE-learn. BTW, my IQ is 127.

[seharris11]

Not that I know of lol? I think there was a link I saw in someone's video? Thanks! :)

[ellyodd]

Hey, awesome video. Are you on The Dyscalculia Forum?