{"id":8283,"date":"2019-07-31T11:01:22","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T11:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8283"},"modified":"2021-06-16T19:48:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T19:48:08","slug":"14-possible-causes-of-dyscalculia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-possible-causes-of-dyscalculia\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Possible Causes of Dyscalculia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dyscalculia is a condition where a person struggles to comprehend anything that applies to numbers. They may also struggle with certain shapes, money, and time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that can cause dyscalculia, and it is typically diagnosed in school-aged children who show the signs of the condition while taking math classes. There are different levels of severity, and some people are able to overcome the condition at least in certain aspects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person may be able to learn to tell time but may still struggle with math problems. The cause of the condition can affect how easily a person can overcome if at all. There are certain health problems that may be connected to other learning disabilities that make it hard for a person to overcome their dyscalculia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the most common causes. These are not the only causes, and medical scientists are still struggling to learn more about these causes and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Memory Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since one of the symptoms of dyscalculia <\/a>is the inability to remember numbers, there\u2019s no surprise that people with memory problems also have this condition. There are many things that can contribute to or cause memory problems, including injuries, medication, infections, and even certain developmental disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people have memory problems that span across a variety of things, including letters, shapes, and more while others simply struggle to remember numbers. This can be a big problem for adults because they may not be able to remember dates, appointments, private information such as social security numbers and birthdates, or the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are receiving treatment to improve their memory problems may be able to use those same treatments for dyscalculia. Typically, when a person\u2019s memory does improve the dyscalculia improves or may even go away. While dyscalculia is normally diagnosed in children, adults with dementia may show symptoms later on in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Brain Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people develop dyscalculia after a head or brain injury<\/a>. There are numerous things that can cause such an injury, including car accidents, sports injuries, and work injuries. If the part of the brain that corresponds to numbers and memory is affected by the injury, a person can develop this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can present itself with other conditions and symptoms or be the only thing symptoms that result from the injury. In some cases, if a person recovers and the brain is able to heal, the condition can improve, and the person may even be able to overcome their dyscalculia and live a normal life. Other people will suffer from the condition for the rest of their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The severity of the condition often depends on the severity of the injury, the part of the brain that is damaged, or the type of injury. Diagnosing the condition may take some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Dyslexia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dyslexia <\/a>is a condition where the brain sees number and letters backward and struggles to make sense of them. It\u2019s considered a learning disability and is actually very common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people are able to overcome their dyslexia, but they may also suffer from dyscalculia too. Since the conditions are very similar, it is not uncommon for a person to suffer from both. It can be hard to diagnose both conditions without confusing them with each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, dyslexia causes confusion with both letters and numbers, while dyscalculia applies only to numbers.  Still, some people get a late diagnosis of dyscalculia because doctors or experts have confused it with dyslexia. If you feel that you or someone you know may have either condition, it\u2019s a good idea to see a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both conditions require treatment, and in some cases, a person can overcome one or both and live a normal life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Spatial Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person has spatial problems<\/a>, they struggle to see the difference between certain things that are similar. Think of it as astigmatism that affects the mind. They might see the word \u201cwas\u201d and confuse it for the word \u201csaw.\u201d They may see a nine and confuse it for a six. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this problem is severe, it can be diagnosed with or considered dyscalculia. If the brain can\u2019t tell the difference between numbers, it can\u2019t understand them or assign them value. It can also affect the way a person remembers numbers, especially when taking measurements or when trying to work out a math problem. It can also make it difficult to count change and money or tell time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spatial problems can occur on their own, but they can also be a sign of dyscalculia. Since the symptoms of both are so similar, they are often misdiagnosed or confused. Treatment for one may also help the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some babies are born with a condition called fetal alcohol syndrome. This can cause a variety of issues and some mental disorders. I can be hard to diagnose dyscalculia alone if a person has fetal alcohol syndrome because other disabilities or conditions could also be causing the confusion with numbers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people with this condition also struggle with letters and simple things such as expressing themselves, feeding themselves, and driving a car. In a case where a person with fetal alcohol syndrome has signs of dyscalculia, it may be diagnosed as a symptom of the overall syndrome instead of a condition on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for the condition may or may not be successful depending on the person\u2019s ability to retain information in general, their level of functioning, and their overall health. Some people are not able to work with numbers or money if they suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Turner syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turner syndrome<\/a> is a developmental disorder that affects females. It\u2019s a fairly rare condition that can cause a variety of different symptoms, including learning disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with Turner syndrome have a hard time distinguishing between different numbers or understanding how number relationships work or how numbers have values. The severity of the syndrome determines the severity of the dyscalculia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Turner syndrome is considered the main cause of the problem, the dyscalculia is considered a symptom of the disorder. Turner syndrome is usually diagnosed at birth, but it can be diagnosed before the child is born as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children with this syndrome often have developmental delays, so it can take a while before they are diagnosed with dyscalculia. Their mathematical cognition may not be the only thing that is affected, and some children with this condition never learn to read or even talk properly. Turner syndrome is a condition that only affects women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Genetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Genetics <\/a>is one of the most common causes of dyscalculia. It can be passed down from parents to children, and it often runs in the family for many generations.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little is known about the condition and the causes, so scientists are working on learning more about the condition. While they know that genetics is a big factor, they are not sure what genes are affected or how they are affected to cause the condition and make it hereditary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the severity of condition lessens with each generation. Some generations are not affected, and it can skip one or two and then show up in family members who are not direct relatives of someone with the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding how the condition is passed between family members can help medical scientists come up with ways to help prevent it and diagnose it earlier so intervention can occur sooner and the person has a better chance of overcoming the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Environmental Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical scientists and experts on the condition believe that there are certain environmental factors that can contribute to the cause of dyscalculia in otherwise healthy people.  It is not known when these environmental factors are present to affect the developing embryo or if a person can be exposed to them after birth and still develop the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also not yet known which environmental factors play a role. Some common theories include diet, exposure to chemicals <\/a>or certain viruses during pregnancy, and even medications. Doctors are working on learning more about dyscalculia and the things that cause it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once they determine which developmental factors play a role in the development of the condition, they can come up with ways to treat the condition and warnings that tell pregnant women or people in general, to avoid those environmental factors if possible. There\u2019s a good chance that environmental factors are not a direct cause but simply play a role in the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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