This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English EducationReport.

We continue our series about learning disabilities. So far, wehave talked about problems with skills like reading, writing andmovement. Today we tell about a condition called dyscalculia. Peoplewith dyscalculia have unusual difficulty working with numbers.

Experts say people with this disorder have trouble readingnumbers and seeing them in their mind. They can have problems withsimilar numbers like three and eight. They also have trouble liningup numbers correctly on paper. Another problem is that people withdyscalculia may have difficulty remembering. So they cannot rememberthe order of operations they must follow to solve a mathematicsproblem.

Such difficulties can lead to failure in school, which can leadto a fear of mathematics. Students may believe they cannot do mathat all.

Experts say dyscalculia cannot be cured, but children can behelped. Teachers and parents need to recognize the signs of thecondition. These include such things as making mistakes when writinggroups of numbers. Another possible sign is performing mathematicaloperations backwards. Still another is reading numbers in the wrongorder or becoming confused about the order of past or future events.

Older students may show difficulty counting money. They might notbe able to understand the rules and ideas of mathematics. They mightperform a mathematical operation one day, but not the next. Peoplewith dyscalculia may also have a poor sense of direction and getlost often. They may have difficulty keeping score during games, andlimited ability to plan during games like chess.

Adults can provide extra help with math problems for studentswith dyscalculia. For example, a picture might help explain thesituation being described. Rhymes or songs or other memory aidsmight help students remember things. Students with dyscalculia coulduse extra time to learn facts and take examinations. Using acalculator or computer might also help.