Maths numeracy of a junior infant

LegacyUser

Hi. This is a problem thats been holding me back for years and has badly impacted my life.
I'm nearly 30 now and all my life I've struggled with maths.

It all started back in my earliest school years, I think maybe junior/senior infants or so.
I fell behind on math's at school and never caught up.

I remember struggling with simple things like fractions and addition etc.
This continued and I remember the school just leaving me behind.

I was never able to do any of my times tables and would regularly get roared at and punished for not being able to keep up.

I was often kept in during lunchbreak and punished for not getting my maths homework right. Regularly I was kept in during lunch break every day for weeks and told "if you don't know you're times tables by the time break is over you're getting 100 lines as punishment".

In 5th and 6th class primary school I was still struggling with times tables and remember having to cheat by putting little dots on a number square to indicate which number I should say next when reciting simple multiplication tables. If I didn't get them right I would be humiliated by the principal who was my teacher.
This was around 2003.

Anyway that trend continued and throughout secondary school I never improved.
Anything on secondary school maths cirriculum I do not know, by 4th year I was put in foundation maths and in my leaving cert I got scrape a C3 in it.
It was only by the time I was in 6th class did the school refer me to a psychologist and he diagnosed me with discalculia and recommend I should get support. That was never implemented instead the school put me in remedial English class instead???

I got no CAO offers and struggled for years to continue my education as I would always be turned down because of my maths.

I tried twice to do repeat maths in my early 20's as night classes. But I'm so far behind that I had ZERO idea what the hell was happening. Then they changed the LC maths to the current format which made things even worse.
It causes me so much anxiety and stress, I dropped out. I feel so stupid and lost.

Maths is like an alien language to me. Even currently when I see problems like 18-6 or 3x4 I draw a blank and have to count on my fingers, and even then I get it wrong and lose track.

My current job requires me to figure out peoples ages and after 7 years in the role I still look at a date e.g 1948 or 1960 and have to physically count up to figure out a persons age.
Often when I ask people will sneer at me for not being able to figure it out immediately.

Does anybody know if there's any support for adults with maths illiteracy? I'm by all means a normal person in every aspect but when it comes to maths I feel like I have special needs and am a burden.

It causes me so much stress and worry day to day and I feel like all my aspirations and dreams have been impeded because of it.
I've often searched online but the only courses I find are adult courses to do secondary school level maths but I need to just start from the absolute beginning.

Online courses and self directed learning I'm no good at. I need somebody to sit down with me and go through things one by one.

MissShihTzu

Have you tried getting a tutor who specialises in grinds? They might be able to help - you often see ads pasted up in shops and shopping centres and so on.

Hope this helps!

cannotlogin

It sounds like the education system let you down so much, knowing you had a diagnosed numeracy problem but did zero to help you.

https://www.nala.ie/free-courses/

You you try contacting the above organisation. I don't know anyone who did their maths course but I know someone they helped hugely in terms of reading and writing.

Warbeastrior

Look up discalculia. It's the maths version of dyslexia.
There are probably supports for people that have it.

Cash_Q

Hi OP, wow, it sounds like you were really let down by your schools.

Ronit Bird is an expert on Dyscalculia and she has some really good books that I've used in the past to support primary students with maths. They're very user friendly, maybe order them online and see if the activities can help you in some way.

Other suggestions could be to buy yourself some primary maths books, there are great strategies taught and maybe revisiting these could help you. Don't be embarrassed by it, posting here shows you're being proactive about it. Busy at Maths is still going strong, there are good online materials to support the books too. Start with a Junior Infants book to build your confidence somewhat and identify the first stumbling blocks before moving on.

As for counting on your fingers - great, you have a strategy that works sometimes! When it doesn't work don't despair, use a calculator if possible.

joeguevara

Firstly if people sneer at you for not knowing immediately how old someone is from a random year, it’s their issue not yours. While never gifted at maths, I got an A in Higher in the Junior, did Honours up to 6th year and got an A in pass in the leaving.

I don’t often have to do calculations for work but when I do I use a calculator. It’s not seen as any issue and if it assists in getting accurate calculations then go for it.

Actual maths as a subject is largely irrelevant in real life. The only time I do anything in my head is KM to miles.

Any theorem is redundant. Knowing area or volume never needed so don’t be obsessing about doing maths.

Work on confidence. If having to do a calculation in front of someone say, better to be sure and use calculator. The more confidence the less issue.

What happened you in school is awful. It was a real failure, but with the right thinking, learned behaviours and focusing on the good things you have you won’t know yourself.

Btw one good thing about not being accurate is you can knock a year or two off your age when you need to. Good luck.

PS if the issue is you want to do further studies that have an entrance requirement of a maths exam, see if there is an exemption if you have a recognised issue with maths, I know there is for other subjects,

ronivek

Is it just the numbers you have difficulty with or is it also other concepts like shapes or patterns?

As others have said; if you can use a calculator rather than trying to do calculations in your head that’s absolutely fine and nothing you should feel ashamed of.

You could maybe even think about programming as a way to help you for any calculations you need to do for your job; I’m not sure how your dyscalculia might hinder you there but it’s just a thought.

Have you come across Khan Academy before? It’s a US based curriculum but there are videos and practice questions from basic arithmetic to advanced topics: https://www.khanacademy.org/

s1ippy

Some great advice in this thread.

Just to note, if you're comfortable enough, drop in that you have dyscalculia if you're doing calculations. That lets a person know it's going to take more time for you. They might even do it for you.

I have a very mild diagnosed version of this condition. Calendars and trying to figure out quantities of time are a particular weakness for me. I try my best when I'm put on the spot, but in some situations I draw a complete blank if I don't have a visual reference, which I've been embarrassed by in the past.

However, in the last decade dyscalculia is becoming more widely known. In recent years, it only raises an eyebrow briefly among people who have somehow never heard of it and someone will quickly fill them in "dyslexia but with numeracy".

I do agree with posters who say that you can work at it though. I have an incredible grasp on other abstract numerical concepts, like rhythm or note intervals in music - they come innately to me because I'm a right-brain thinker with more creative than logical or mathematical skills.

Best of luck with it, your neurology is totally unique and even weaknesses can present opportunities to strengthen other abilities you have. Who needs numbers anyway

joeguevara

There are a number of issues at play. You have an issue with numbers. But even worse is how you were treated in formative years because of it. This has probably multiplied the effects in your brain. When you are put on the spot it probably physically manifests itself which makes you awkward and in turn the person in front of you. Then a vicious circle.

I find in things like this it is how you own it. Everyone has there own foibles and as such everyone can relate. For instance. If you confidently say : I have a blind spot for calculations but it’s great because it means I’m never ask to calculate the bill when out with mates. Hold on while I get my trusted calculator. It will not be as awkward and will help.

I was tested under the differential aptitude tests. I scored in the lowest percentile for spatial awareness which means I can’t envision what a 2d object such as a plan or map would look in 3 d . I have had to explain why I can’t see certain things or follow simple travel directions in work. I always tell them about the DATs and how the marker said they don’t know how I can walk through a door without hitting a wall. Gets me out of it with no questions. I usually follow it up with I love it cause I never have to look at maps when on road trips and can fall asleep.

Febreeze

I honestly swear you wrote that post about me. From an early age, I absolutely struggled with maths. My brain went blank and especially now in the feild I work in, basic maths is required and I've often asked someone else for help. I've had the odd funny looks but I don't react anymore.

I went back and repeated a maths course a few years ago and like yourself, completely gave up. I didn't have a clue what was going on, even when it was dumbed down for me.

I ended up doing foundation maths for my leaving cert and barely scrapped it. The results I got was shocking but I made up the points by other subjects, they were all ordinary. I begged and pledded with teachers and my parent about this and asked them to get help. I was either classed as lazy or I wasn't trying hard enough which made going to maths class even harder. I was lucky enough that I was decent enough at the other basic subjects and I was able to prove that I wasn't on the lazy boat, I just struggle with numbers.

Now that I'm, slightly older, I'm greatful for my partner who happily sits down and helps me with certain fiancial matters and is willing to show me how to do certain things but even at that, I still struggle. My parents now have realised how bad I am, and help if needs be but it's too late now to investigate as those around me have reached the point where they know how bad I am and either do it for me, or go out of their way to help me and I'm entirely grateful for it.

I am able to get by though. Thankfully my working life isn't majorly affected and I don't need to know too much maths to go through my day but I understand the struggle. It's frustrating and upsetting at the same time.

Airyfairy12

I had the same experience in school regarding maths. I was top of my class for English, won competitions for Essays and spelling was perfect but total opposite in maths, I still struggle but feel that it mostly stems from a crippling fear of the subject because of how I was treated as a child when it came to maths. I was once sent to the principals office to be given out too because I couldnt get my maths homework right, I was made to go up to the board and figure out a maths sum infront of the whole class, teacher knowing I was struggling, I look a panic attack infront of the whole room and she still wouldn't let me leave until id figured out the sum. Some people shouldn't be let near teaching.

There are some organisations that do adult literacy and numeracy courses, if you look up DALC or NALA you will find information there. Your local ETB will also either have adult numeracy courses or will direct you to a local organisation or tutor.

Hope that helps.

afkasurfjunkie

If it’s mostly calculations in your head that you struggle with, look up ‘power of 2’ maths book. It’s a coaching workbook that is used by some special education teachers. A old colleague told me about it. It’s used in primary schools but the exercises build as you work through it. It goes through different strategies you can use for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It’s just something you could work on at home for a few minutes every day to build confidence.

LegacyUser

I encourage you to try Nala.ie The phone number is on the website. They help people with numeracy and literacy difficulties.

JustAThought

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

If it’s mostly calculations in your head that you struggle with, look up ‘power of 2’ maths book. It’s a coaching workbook that is used by some special education teachers. A old colleague told me about it. It’s used in primary schools but the exercises build as you work through it. It goes through different strategies you can use for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It’s just something you could work on at home for a few minutes every day to build confidence.

Perhaps this is something the OP could buy and then they and get a private grind to go through it with them .

As someone who hated maths all through school
and still fell aggrieved at the importance put on it especially for entrance to non maths based college courses - I was dispatched
to grind after grind for maths in school and also private grinds and often this was with A
maths students or people who had degrees in maths but were not able to come down to my
level or underatand that I simply did not get it and could not make the links - so perhaPs
choose a trained maths teacher instead rather than a maths genius!

I would also say that although you have understandable back issue with maths and this has underrstandably affected you , your main problem now is the tasks that cause
you issues in work - focus on getting your grind
you help you with this. You din’t need to fill childhood gaps and lean all the hits you will not need - you just beed the skills to make
your work life managable and your work
goals achievable. There will always be some
maths in every job - if dates and ages (subtraction) are what you need or if you simply need to find an app on the internet that you can plug in the details than
that is ll you need. No need to make an issue
that has plagued you all your life a challenge or a weekly pressure.

Arguably you could also tell your HR manager and ask for a different role to be allocated to you but there will always be maths or numbers - so
better perhaps - especially as then of thousands are being let go and may never find work again - to focus on getting help and solving this one area of ages that causes you daily problems and putting the reat away - you
don’t need the grief and you need need the bad memories.

LegacyUser

OP I am sorry to say that I have no advice for you, but honestly it was like I wrote that post! My situation is almost identical. My brain just does not work in a mathematical way. I was like this since about 4 years old and do feel really let down by the education system. I was ridiculed by teachers who just didn't have the time to spend with me, when they had 25+ students to teach. I then developed gave me a massive fear of maths. So much so, that in my maths leaving cert exam I walked out after 30 minutes. I failed almost every single maths test throughout primary and secondary. Grinds cost a fortune that my parents couldn't afford so I think I was just doomed to fail. I've gotten very good at numbers since however! I've worked with figures in various jobs and for some reason seem to be fine now. Obviously excel and a calculator helps

But just know you are not alone, and this thread has actually been great for me to see the advice you're being given.

Stephen Gawking

This post brings up so many memories for me, I'd resigned myself to believing i was just thick when it came to mathematics. I'd never heard of dyscalculia until this thread. I was considered the class dunce from primary through secondary school.

Only 1 teacher ever really tried but unfortunately she was only temporary & was moved & i never saw her again. When i was 10 years old my father 'taught' me how to tell the time on an analogue clock by pointing to the hands on the clock & asking what time would it be if the hands were at such & such a position. Unfortunately he was pointing to them with a stick so everytime i got it wrong the stick was used on me. And i got it wrong everytime. The same happened whenever i got maths homework wrong, i got into trouble for hiding school journals because teachers notes would invariably result in a beating & i suspect some of them knew that as one or two always seemed to gloat at my bruises.

I'm 44 now & like the OP i cannot easily tell someones age from their birth year, am hopeless with sorting correct change in a shop & hopeless at mental arithmetic. I don't know if i have the same condition as the OP & I'm in 2 minds as to whether or not i should bother following it up but i just wanted the OP to know that you're obviously not alone but also to thank you for sharing your experience.

Klopp

OP, you're not alone as some have already posted and alluded too. I have struggled with Maths myself, I got grinds at a very early age in primary school and still struggled when I started secondary school right up to my leaving cert, and I scrapped a pass. I wanted to do an apprenticeship as Electrician or Carpenter/Joiner but my Maths was so poor, I never had the level of Maths required. I still struggle today with a lot of Maths, from fractions to percentages but have got a lot better thanks to YouTube, I have watched hours of tutorials.



I never heard of dyscalculia before until reading this thread, you learn something every day as they say. Whatever you do next, don't let it get you down, do as others have said, get some grinds no matter how long it takes you to get comfortable with the everyday tasks you mention.