Notes in November 9

Dyscalculia & Failing Algebra

 Original Post: Saturday, July 10, 2010

Pierre de Fermat,

1601-1665

French Mathematician

There is a learning disorder called dyscalculia—and I probably have it. I have never been tested or diagnosed, but when I came across the condition recently on the Internet, I experienced one of those Eureka! moments. 

What are the symptoms? “Normal or accelerated language acquisition: verbal, reading, writing. Poetic ability. Good visual memory for the printed word. Good in the areas of science (until a level requiring higher math skills is reached), geometry (figures with logic not formulas), and creative arts,” according to the website Dyscalculia.org.

That seems to describe me, but it gets even better:

“Difficulty with the abstract concepts of time and direction. Inability to recall schedules, and the sequences of past or future events. Unable to keep track of time….”

And this:

“Mistaken recollection of names. Poor name/face retrieval.”

And yet this:

“May have difficulty grasping concepts of formal music education. Difficulty sight-reading music, learning fingering to play an instrument, etc.

“May have poor athletic coordination, difficulty keeping up with rapidly changing physical directions like in aerobic, dance, and exercise classes. Difficulty remembering dance step sequences, rules for playing sports.

 Bingo!

If only some perceptive teacher had noticed that I was not simply an oddball, but a silent sufferer of dyscalculia, maybe I could have had therapy and my whole life would have been different.

I have been living with terrible secrets (I can never remember a phone number long enough to dial it; I tend to write the wrong date and time for appointments; I sometimes show up at the wrong address—or on the wrong day—for an event; I can’t manage more than two consecutive steps so my partner is condemned to dance in circles; I rudely avoid introducing people because I often forget the names of my closest friends—the list goes on and on).

There are so many things I might have done: I might have passed college algebra! (I did, actually, on my third try, when the instructor agreed to overlook my inability to solve the simplest equations after reading my short story about Fermin’s Last Theorem.)

I might have stopped confusing millions with billions as editor of a business publication! I might not have driven my short-lived tennis, handball and golf instructors to depression and despair! I might have learned to play that damn keyboard that I bought years ago!

It’s mind-boggling: If I had be diagnosed, treated and cured of dyscalculia I might have been a jock! How happy my father would have been! What a different story I would have been able to tell my grandchildren and their children.

Well, it’s too late for that. However, this amazing discovery in the sunset of my life may excuse the somewhat disjointed nature of my memories (“Inability to recall… the sequences of past or future events”), so from now on—whatever your name is, I’m on my own schedule.