Source: Midjourney

Designing for users with Dyscalculia

Designing for Different Minds: Making Math User-Friendly for All

Unlike dyslexia, which affects reading, dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects an individual’s ability to perform mathematical calculations and understand mathematical concepts. It is considered a specific learning disability and is similar to dyslexia in that it affects reading. It does not affect a person’s intelligence, but rather the difficulty they encounter in understanding and calculating mathematical concepts.

Range of difficulties experienced

• Having difficulty understanding basic mathematical concepts, such as numbers, quantities, and operations, is one of the most common problems.
• Mathematical facts and formulas are difficult to remember.
• Mathematical tasks are difficult to solve, plan, and organize.
• Time and measurement concepts are difficult to understand.
• Maps and graphs are difficult to understand due to difficulty with spatial reasoning.
• Math difficulties, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Algebra, geometry, and other advanced mathematical concepts are difficult to understand.

Symptoms of dyscalculia

• Having difficulty counting and recognizing numbers
• Having trouble understanding and following mathematical concepts, such as quantities and operations
• Having difficulty with simple mathematical tasks, such as adding and subtracting
• Conceptual difficulties with time and measurement
• Inability to understand and interpret mathematical information presented visually, such as graphs and charts
• The ability to calculate without using a calculator or other tools.

A person with dyscalculia may not experience all of these difficulties, and the severity of symptoms can vary greatly. Furthermore, it is important to note that dyscalculia symptoms are not exclusively observed in dyscalculia, and may be observed in other conditions or disorders as well. Dyscalculia should be diagnosed by a qualified professional after a…