Dr. Piyush Jain
Dr. Piyush Jain provides pediatric clinical guidance for developmental and neurodevelopmental concerns where appropriate.
Genesis Neurogen Blog
Child Reverses Numbers or Just Can't Remember Multiplication Tables No Matter How Much They Practice - Could It Be Dyscalculia?
संक्षेप में: अगर आपका बच्चा अंकों को उल्टा लिखता है या बहुत अभ्यास के बाद भी पहाड़े (multiplication tables) याद नहीं रख पाता, तो यह सिर्फ कम मेहनत की बात नहीं हो सकती। कुछ बच्चों में संख्याओं और गणित से जुड़ी एक विशेष सीखने की कठिनाई होती है, जिसे डिस्कैल्कुलिया कहा जाता है। अगर यह बार-बार हो तो सीखने से जुड़े आकलन से स्पष्टता मिल सकती है।
Short answer: Occasionally reversing numbers or needing extra time with tables is common while children are still learning. A child who consistently reverses numbers well past the early years, cannot retain basic number facts despite repeated practice, or seems to understand maths concepts verbally but cannot apply them on paper, may have a specific maths-related learning difficulty sometimes called dyscalculia, which is worth having assessed.
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Why number work can be specifically difficult for some children
Working with numbers involves a different set of mental skills than reading or general reasoning - recognising quantity, holding number facts in memory, and following multi-step procedures reliably. A child can be bright and verbally capable while still finding this specific area genuinely difficult, which is why struggling mainly with numbers, rather than across every subject, is a meaningful pattern rather than a lack of effort.
What is typical, and what is worth noticing
Some repetition and reversal of numbers is expected up to around age 7. It is worth a closer look when a child well past this age still reverses numbers often, cannot recall tables they have practised repeatedly, loses track of steps in simple calculations, or seems to guess rather than calculate. A few parents near Old Seemapuri have described a child who could explain a maths problem out loud correctly but consistently got it wrong on paper, which did not fit the pattern of simply not trying.
What a learning disability assessment looks at
An assessment separately evaluates number sense, working memory for maths facts, and how a child approaches calculation, to pinpoint exactly where the difficulty lies. Based on what is found, support can focus specifically on the maths-related gap rather than general tutoring that may not address the real issue. Our learning disability support team can help with this kind of assessment.
Book a learning assessment for your child with our learning disability support team. Call 7481909090 or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dyscalculia the same as dyslexia?
No, though the two can occur together. Dyslexia mainly affects reading and language, while dyscalculia specifically affects number sense and mathematical processing.
Could my child just need a better maths tutor?
It's possible, but if difficulty persists despite good teaching and genuine effort, an assessment helps clarify whether a specific learning difficulty is involved rather than a teaching-method mismatch.
At what age can dyscalculia reliably be identified?
Clear signs are usually easier to identify once formal maths instruction has been underway for a couple of years, though early difficulties can be monitored from the primary years onward.
Can children with this difficulty still do well in maths with support?
Yes. With the right kind of targeted, structured support - often using visual and hands-on methods - many children make steady progress, even if maths continues to need more effort than other subjects.
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Useful context about the Genesis Neurogen doctors, so you can understand the wider clinical practice while reading this article.
Dr. Radha Jain
Dr. Radha Jain is the Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Obstetrician within the wider Genesis Neurogen clinical practice. Her women’s-health services are detailed on the main Genesis Neurogen Delhi website.
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