Dyscalculia Screening – Dyscalculia Testing and Diagnosis

Signs of Dyscalculia in Preschool

Has trouble learning to count and skips over numbers long after kids the same age can remember numbers in the right order.
Doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of counting. For example, when you ask for five blocks, he just hands you a large group of blocks, rather than counting them out.
Struggles to recognize patterns, like smallest to largest or tallest to shortest.
Has trouble understanding number symbols, like making the connection between “7” and the word seven.
Struggles to connect a number to an object, such as knowing that “3” applies to groups of things like 3 cookies, 3 cars, or 3 kids.

Has difficulty learning and recalling basic math facts, such as 2 + 4 = 6.
Still uses fingers to count instead of using more advanced strategies (like mental math).
Struggles to identify math signs like + and ‒ and to use them correctly.
Has a tough time understanding math phrases, like greater than and less than.
Has trouble with place value, often putting numbers in the wrong column.

Struggles with math concepts like commutativity (3 + 5 is the same as 5 + 3) and inversion (being able to solve 3 + 26 ‒ 26 without calculating).
Has a tough time understanding math language and coming up with a plan to solve a math problem.
Has trouble keeping score in sports games and gym activities.
Has difficulty figuring out the total cost of things and often runs out of money on his lunch account.
May avoid situations that require understanding numbers, like playing games that involve math.

Struggles to understand information on charts and graphs.
Has trouble applying math concepts to money, such as making exact change and figuring out a tip.
Has trouble measuring things like ingredients in a simple recipe or liquids in a bottle.
Lacks confidence in activities that require understanding speed, distance and directions, and may get lost easily.
Has trouble finding different approaches to the same math problem, such as adding the length and width of a rectangle and doubling the answer to solve for the perimeter (rather than adding all the sides).