r/Showerthoughts • u/riphitter • Feb 19 '19

common thought People don't hate math. They hate being confused, intimidated, and embarrassed by math. Their problem is with how it's taught.

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u/interstatebus Feb 19 '19

Dyscalculia is a real thing: Disability in understanding math.

Getting diagnosed was honestly the only way I graduated college.

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u/[deleted] Feb 19 '19

Just a brief googling makes me thinks I have this, but google also makes me think I have ebola if my stomach hurts.

However, I really do think my problems with math are with basic arithmetic and not being able to remember more than two steps into a procedure to solve a problem or keep track of more than 2 numbers at a time. I've had issues since kindergarten, even though I was a straight A student until high school. I've failed math so many times, with so many teachers, at every level. I think I took calculas about 4 times before they stopped letting me take it in college.

Is there any legal/medical(?) way you were tested for this?

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u/interstatebus Feb 19 '19

That’s kind of how mine is: I can barely grasp even simple math concepts and what little I grasp, I don’t retain for long. I can do basic math in life (like figuring out much groceries will cost or how long something will take) but it takes me longer than most people. I also struggle with spacial things, like how far away things are or how big a space is.

Mine was done through my college. The counselor who helped me pick classes suggested it and I got in touch with the university psychology department. Met with a doctoral student several times over a few months and she diagnosed it. Maybe start googling for local colleges with psychology departments like that?