Dyscalculia in children

The prevalence of dyscalculia is about as high as that of dyslexia. Secondary psychological problems, especially anxiety and depression, are frequently associated symptoms. The circumstances which give rise to this condition and its progression are not as well researched as for dyslexia. Brain functions specialised in number processing are linguistically and visuospatially determined and located in various areas of the brain. It is assumed that the development and the networking of the associated neural structures are inhibited by genetic and environmental factors. This accounts for various subtypes of mathematical learning difficulties. Therapies and other interventions - individually adapted and closely linked to schools - should be based on early, content-specific and neuropsychological diagnoses.