Dyscalculia Testing
We offer high-quality assessments for math difficulties conducted by a licensed and certified school psychologist. Dyscalculia is a learning disability in math (also called “Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Mathematics”, math LD, mathematics learning disability, or mathematics learning disorder). People with dyscalculia have trouble with math at many levels. It is a condition that makes it hard to do math and tasks that involve math. It’s not as well known or as understood as dyslexia. Dyscalculia can make it hard to do everyday tasks. Cooking, grocery shopping, and getting places on time all involve these basic math skills, which are known as number sense.
The prevalence of dyscalculia in the school population ranges from 3 to 6%. Common signs of dyscalculia include trouble:
- Counting
- Calculating
- Learning and remembering math facts, like addition and multiplication tables
- Grasping the meaning of quantities or concepts like biggest vs. smallest
- Counting money or making change
- Estimating time
- Reading a clock, estimating time, and understanding elapsed time
- Holding numbers in his/her head while solving problems
The only way to get a diagnosis is through an evaluation. A thorough evaluation is important because it helps target the student’s needs and enables students to get possible special instruction in math and/or accommodations to make learning math easier. Testing for a math learning disability is a comprehensive process and typically includes the following components:
- Intelligence testing
- Cognitive processing (including the ability to hold numbers and manipulate them in working memory)
- Quantitative reasoning skills
- Math fact fluency
- Ability with word problems and everyday math reasoning
- Calculation skills
After the comprehensive testing, a feedback session is scheduled with the parents usually within two weeks (either in-person or by video conference). The conference will discuss assessment results as well as review the comprehensive written report detailing test findings and a treatment recommendation plan. If testing shows that your child has Dyscalculia, there are next steps to follow to get help.
Most feedback sessions are scheduled within two weeks of data collection. It is important to us at ETS to get you the information you need as soon as possible.
Dr. Bell is also available to attend school meetings to review test results, to help with intervention planning, or to advocate for the needs of your child.