Dyscalculia: awareness and student support

Area of Science:

• Education
• Neuroscience
• Healthcare Professions Education

Background:

• Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty impacting numerical abilities.
• Existing research primarily focuses on dyscalculia in children.
• There is a significant gap in understanding its implications for higher education and health professional training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the lack of information on dyscalculia in further and higher education.
• To discuss the challenges faced by educators supporting students with dyscalculia.
• To raise awareness of dyscalculia's impact on student nurses' learning and professional development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on dyscalculia identification and support.
• Analysis of educational disparities in higher education settings.
• Qualitative discussion on the experiences of educators and student nurses.

Main Results:

• Limited resources and strategies exist for supporting dyscalculic students in higher education.
• Educators often face challenges in identifying and accommodating dyscalculia.
• Student nurses with dyscalculia experience unique academic and clinical placement difficulties.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for targeted interventions and support systems for dyscalculic students in higher education.
• Increased awareness and specialized training are essential for educators in health professions.
• Further research is required to develop effective pedagogical approaches for student nurses with dyscalculia.