Dyslexia & specific difficulties

Dyslexia has specific difficulties in writing and spelling problems and sometimes a specific problem in mathematic included (British Dyslexia Association, 2002). Traditionally, dyslexia has concentrated mainly on literacy - the learning of the reading and spelling processes. But some dyslexic difficulties also transmit into the learning of mathematics. Research results, based on initial studies, claim that about 60% of dyslexics have some problems with school maths (Chinn & Ashcroft 1998).

How can dyslexia affect the learning of mathematics?

Most people consider the rules of maths are consistent, some more consistent than the rules of spelling (Riddick, 1996). In fact there are many inconsistencies in mathematics, which are often invisible. Maths has more exclusion to the rules than many people believe (Riddick 1996). These incompatibilities can especially hinder the dyslexic child in that they challenge the security of learning. Many of these inconsistencies happen in numeracy and in that way the seeds of disorder and failure are sown very early (Henderson 1989b).