dyscalculia and the lack of support (rant)
hi hello. just wanted to share my story. i was diagnosed with dyscalculia since like elementary school.
throughout all my years in school, the resource teachers (special ed) were just, not helpful. they basically said i HAD to have the test read to me out loud by an instructor. excuse me?? not even going to mention the fact that they always talking about “advocating for yourself” and then when you do you get shut down. first of all, you reading a math test to me, is not only going to NOT help, but it’s extremely distracting. the numbers and signs already mean nothing to me, it’s not an issue of not knowing how to read it. i have problems with computation. and then they’d be reading question number 5 already and im still trying to figure out 2. 😭
accommodations for dyscalculia have always been less than helpful. extra time is nice, sure. but it’s not helping the root issue. calculator? most every math class lets you use a calculator on a test now, so that accommodation doesn’t help much either. i think the only thing that ever helped me a bit was having an index card of notes. but depending on the class, it’s hard to get that approved. i just wish there were more options for folks with dyscalculia.
wanna know what else was laughable? i never learned how to properly type on a keyboard because i was never allowed to take a keyboarding class in middle school. instead, i was placed in an extra - support math class. are we for real? keyboarding is a skill that i absolutely will use more of then math.
i feel like i could be excelling in everything else but because i can’t do math, ill never be smart. i hate that i feel that way.
why do people think that it’s anything less than dyslexia? oh you can’t do math? yeah math is hard just try harder. no! it is a LEARNING. DISABILITY. if you are a teacher, or a tutor, let’s take it a step further; a tutor who specializes in helping students with learning disabilities. i never want to hear the words “how do you not know this” or “you should know this already” come out of your mouth! ok so obviously i don’t know this already or i wouldn’t be asking. and i’m sorry but even if you just explained a mathematical concept to me 5 minutes ago, there is no guarantee i will remember it. maybe because i have dyscalculia hm!!!!!!
it just sucks when you are really, really trying, and you are doing everything they told you to do, asking questions, trying to pay attention, but you still get berated in that way. like great now i’m just not going to ask you questions cause im scared. do you think i would be asking these questions if i already was confident? do you know how embarrassing it is to ask what is considered a “basic math” question and get belittled? i would never go through that if i didn’t have to!
ugh sorry i just wanted to share this with people who understand. nobody deserves to go through all that. 🫂