How does a psychologist test to see if you have a math disability?
March 17th, 2009 | by admin |
banana asked:
For those of you who are psychologists or have been through this, I was wondering how is a math disability diagnosed? I have had trouble with math since i was a child and am in college now and have repeated the same math course 7 times. I have a 3.8 GPA because I have not failed the classes, I have Withdrawn and so it does not count against my GPA. My counselor has suggested that since I am getting A’s in all my other subjects (I am an English Major) that I should see a shrink and test for a math disability. How is this test done? IS it an actual math test or is it just an interview type session? If I am diagnosed with this I could take alternate courses to substitute for my math credits which would be incredible.
Well, sir, I belive I do have a disability. I looked up the symptoms and its says quite a few other things like having trouble measuring distance or having trouble conceptualizing the passing ot time, etc…that I have issues with. So…it IS a legitimate disability. Please do no comment if you do not have an answer. This is called Yahoo Answers, not Yahoo Opinions…
well, I tested into that class so I shouldve been able to handle it. I had all the knowldge needed for the course at that point. I retook the class so many times because it was a required class and I kept thinking maybe I needed more time or more days with a tutor. I had to get special wavers and even take the class as a transient student at another college.
Rick
For those of you who are psychologists or have been through this, I was wondering how is a math disability diagnosed? I have had trouble with math since i was a child and am in college now and have repeated the same math course 7 times. I have a 3.8 GPA because I have not failed the classes, I have Withdrawn and so it does not count against my GPA. My counselor has suggested that since I am getting A’s in all my other subjects (I am an English Major) that I should see a shrink and test for a math disability. How is this test done? IS it an actual math test or is it just an interview type session? If I am diagnosed with this I could take alternate courses to substitute for my math credits which would be incredible.
Well, sir, I belive I do have a disability. I looked up the symptoms and its says quite a few other things like having trouble measuring distance or having trouble conceptualizing the passing ot time, etc…that I have issues with. So…it IS a legitimate disability. Please do no comment if you do not have an answer. This is called Yahoo Answers, not Yahoo Opinions…
well, I tested into that class so I shouldve been able to handle it. I had all the knowldge needed for the course at that point. I retook the class so many times because it was a required class and I kept thinking maybe I needed more time or more days with a tutor. I had to get special wavers and even take the class as a transient student at another college.
Rick
No Responses to “How does a psychologist test to see if you have a math disability?”
By Mr. Pickles on Mar 18, 2009 | Reply
I’m tired of people who aren’t good at something classifying it as a disability. Maybe you’re just not good at math. I’m not good at football, that doesn’t mean I have a football disability. People these days expect to be good at everything and for the stuff they’re not good at, it’s a disability.
By lovenwar on Mar 20, 2009 | Reply
Research testing. You may have a learning disability.
You are in college….you better ask your counselor. Do not give up…it may take you a bit longer….but WHY did you take the same class that many times? I think you have a brain block. or maybe you just do not have the background info required for the course.
By clintonanthony on Mar 23, 2009 | Reply
I was diagnosed with a math disability too when I got diagnosed for a bunch of other stuff the typical ADHD etc. I did not get diagnosed until I was in college as well. All that is typically done is a small interview, some paperwork, and a series of math tests. You would probably be tested on a variety of mathematical things, basic math (addition etc.), logical reasoning, timed tests, things similar to that.
My doctor had a close friend, old enough sibling, family member, fill out a questionaire about me as well, just so the doctor could get outside insight.
Everyone has something that works against them; if they want to be a sports star, but have a football disability then it will hinder their ability to be the best that they can be. People with ADHD have the attention problems working against them, People who are autistic have their various problems working against them, same with people with various other physical, mental, social problems working against them. What matters most is the areas you are good in; english etc. Believe it or not but most english professors probably do have a math disability of some sort.
After you get tested and are diagnosed with a math disability (which if you are experiencing problems like you described more than likely you probably will be diagnosed with a math disability, you know yourself the best out of anyone). You will get some small accomodations like; taking math tests in a separtate quiet room, untimed tests, extended time to take tests, possible use of a calculator, flexible scheduling, a note-taker for your math class, tutoring, etc. Anything that could help you out, because you have the extra hurdle to overcome at learning math.
As you have noticed people have a stigma against these certain diagnoses, but I am sure when they are having a problem with something; cooking, sports, marriage, buying a house, child rearing, etc. Most people are going to ask for help, nothing is wrong with asking for help.
Take Care,
Clinton Anthony
By Viewaskew on Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
Discalculia is a disability in the area of mathemtics, just as Dyslexia is a disability in reading. Both are under the category of learning disabilities.
Psychologists generally give I.Q. tests and acheivement tests at the high school/elementary levels to determine if there is a discrepency in one area of academic achievement as compared to ability. If the gap is 20 points or more, you probably have a learning disability in that area. I do not know what would be done at the college level.
If you are found to have a learning disability, colleges are not required to provide accommodations under law, but many colleges do have programs in place to help students who have such needs. Check with your college’s student advocacy center and your advisor to find out what your options are. You would probably be allowed to have extended time for some assignments and possibly alternate testing sites, but not an alternate course, as the requirements for a degree will not allow substitutions.
Good luck!
By nubiangeek on Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
What they do is compare your math IQ score with your actual performance. If your math IQ score is quite a bit higher that your performance, you may have a math disability. People are under the misconception that if you are ‘good’ at everything except math, you must have a math disability. This is not true. I am not good at math, but my math IQ score is not high and so I am performing right where I should. So. I don’t have disclaim.
By MissTT on Mar 27, 2009 | Reply
It’s just like a math test that sees what level of math your at. And for mr. pickles it a disability. Break down the word and it means not having the ability to do something. So obviously you have a word definition disability.
By Devon on Mar 28, 2009 | Reply
You need to have individual testing done.
I have read the other answers, there are people who just don’t understand. You can be gifted in an area and have a disability in another one.
Talk to your adviser. If they can’t/won’t/don’t help, try student services, career and testing center, counseling/psychology center, etc.
If all fails, go see the school president!!!
I did this when I was in college!!!
Good Luck!!!
By Sara on Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
The way to diagnose a learning disability has changed in the past few years. It used to be that the school psychologist gives an IQ test, and also an achievement test. Then if there was an 18 point or more discrepancy between your IQ and your achievement score in a certain area (math, reading, listening, etc.), the child would be diagnosed with a learning disability in that area or areas.
Recently it has changed a little. The school psychologist still adminsters an IQ test, and an achievement test. However, now they look at the breakdown of the student’s IQ. The IQ test has a portion called a processing speed score. If that score is lower than the rest of your IQ, then you have a processing disorder which can effect the student’s learning in math, reading, listening etc. Then the school psychologist looks at the achievement scores as well as how the student has performed in classes, and standarized test scores to see if the processing disorder is negatively impacting the student’s education. If so then the student is labeled with a learning disability in that area or areas.
If a student is diagnosed with a learning disability, there is generally not an alternative class for the student to take. Students with learning disabilities are generally held to the same standards as other students. The student does usually get extra help such as a copy of notes, calculator use, or extra time on tests.
Hope this helps
By jennifer g on Apr 1, 2009 | Reply
I feel your pain. It took me 18 years to finally finish my BA degree due to my math issues. I do not process numbers normally and in fact often transpose figures, and forget Algebra, I took it at the no credit level 6 times and failed it 3 and dropped the other 3. I thought I would never finish, and my university was completely unwilling to work with me unless I paid for their psychologist to evaluate me at a cost of over $300 per session, and it was a 3 session test! I suffered a brain injury a few years ago, and as a Vocational Rehabilitation client, I was given a complete workup, and lo and behold, I do math at a 10th grade level. I was amazed it was as high as 10th grade. My college didnt accept the psychiatrists eval, even though he had higher qualifications than the “counselor” they wanted me to see. It was several actual math tests and cognative tests as well as interviews.
I did talk to the Chair of the math department, and lo and behold, I found a human being! He told me about a class called Quantative Reasoning, or Applied Mathmatics.Which was actually considered higher level than Algebra. I got into the class, with a great Bristish professor who could teach dogs to do Quantum Physics, and it took a lot of work, and not a few tears of frustration, but I managed to squeek through with a “D”. I am dam n proud of that “D”, because I finally beat my deamon, and I graduated this past August and got accepted into Grad. school. I would look and see if maybe that class might work for you. Its math that makes sense and that you can actually find a purpose for. Good luck and dont let the trolls get you down.
By stephimm on Apr 3, 2009 | Reply
Learning disabilities are usually found by comparing your cognitive ability (IQ) to your academic ability for your age. I would suggest that you go to the disabilities services office at your college. Ask if they do testing there or where you can go in the community for testing.