Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability which involves the most basic aspects in mathematics such as calculus or arithmetic abilities more than algebra or geometry. It is related with number processing, which is the basis of learning mathematics difficulties according to latest research lines.
There is no single form of dyscalculia but it differs widely from one affected person to another, so there is no formal or specific diagnosis resulting on a complicated task, even more if we exclude that the problems with these skills may be caused by a deficient education or additional mental disabilities.
The aim of the project is therefore to develop a tool that is able to evaluate these basic numeracy skills, depending very little from other cognitive skills such as reading, language or short-term memory, and not influenced by contextual factors such as the educational experience or inappropriate teaching method. The software should also allow to make an approximate diagnosis and it must be easy to use.
The software consists of different trials that analyze skills such as:
- number sense (magnitude),
- comparisons (symbolic and non-symbolic),
- basic arithmetic and
- enumerations.
The time it takes to answer each question compared with the average of their people’s age group is a critical feature in the trials, so the software proceed to register the answer and the time spent on it and analyze them automatically in the program.
You can find more additional details here (spanish only):