Really disheartened :( why can't my brain function properly?!

[TimeToRevolutionize]

People are probably wondering why on earth am I posting this here! It's because I really need some advice and a massive kick up the backside.

Maths has never, ever been my forte. I have struggled it all my life. I've even had extra tuitions by going to an evening course straight after school and college just to try and grasp it but I never could.

I've managed to past level 1 functional Skills many years ago and that was by the skin of my teeth! Just managed to do it. I've done an assessment for Level 2 but they're unable to offer me it as it showed I was working at Entry Level 3! I was absolutely astonished. I am a 26 year old woman and I don't know any fucking maths. My DS will soon be going school and I need to get my act together.

I am going ahead with FS L2 English, which I'm fine with. It's just Maths! I am seriously wondering whether I am suffering from dyscalculia. The most simple maths I just can't do it! I am going on Citizen Maths and going to work my way through that and try and grasp it. I just feel so low :o( I tried so hard when I was a teenager! I just couldn't get past level 1. I attempted level 2 three times and I failed all 3 of them!

Sorry if I'm missing the point - is there a job or qualification that you need L3 maths for? It's not clear whether the lack is a practical hurdle or just something you personally want to achieve? Because my brain is very non-mathsy too but good at other things and it's never been a problem. My 11yo is better at maths than I'll ever be!

I need level 2 maths so that I can progress my career in computing.

Oh bless you. Why are you working on your maths - is it so you can help DS when he starts school?

Sorry X-post.

I would wonder whether you have some maths specific learning issue. Can you be more specific about what you're doing that you find difficult?

Go see an educational psychologist. I did at 25 and was told I have dyslexia. Didn't really have any 'classic' dyslexia symptoms and was always a b/c grade student, just had (have) the attention span, had originally gone as I thought I had ADD. Did mean I got additional help when I went back to college / uni. They gave me ways to plan and focus and software to read it out to me so I wasn't zoning out. Did so much better than before!

I find everything difficult. I can do the basic maths like adding subtracting timetabling etc but my worse at the moment is perimeters, square meters, algebra, working out an area or volume, graphs.

@hamabr86 where do I see an educational psychologist? I just googled it and it says they offer it in school and colleges, which I don't go to either of those. Do I have to pay privately for one? I thought dyslexia is problems spelling, reading, etc? I can do them perfectly ok, just numbers which gives me a massive brain ache lol.

I went to see a private psychologist because I was getting so frustrated with myself, it wasn't the cheapest thing I've ever done but worth it imo. I think I literally googled adult educational psychologist.

My dyslexia is more of a processing issue so my working memory is shocking, cant remember strings of numbers past about 3. I tend to fill in gaps with what is supposed to be there rather than what is actually there so assignments would miss out words / half of sentences / put in extra words. Also the strain of reading and switching between tasks caused me to zone out. I argued with him at the time as I have always read loads and he told me I have reasonably high IQ and have developed coping mechanisms from doing so much reading from a young age but it didn't mean I don't have the problem.

How many years ago was your lvl 1 functional skills? We can easily forget what we haven't used and I see many people coming to the functional skills classes I support in who have forgotten how to subtract on paper "oh I used to know this one".

Also, levels get harder. The exams change and requirements for them change so we are encouraging as many people as possible to study English this academic year before standards are increased in the next years paper.

And, sorry to suggest it but some people do plateau before they get as high a qualification as they want or need. It doesn't mean you have a learning disability, just not able to progress in this area.

I think if you had dyscalculia this would have been noticed in your diagnostics and in the classroom by your tutor. It doesn't mean you are not disadvantaged by a poor short term memory or processing disorder.

If you really need the lvl2 maths qualification you may need to redo the previous level 1 (we can do this if it was not in the last five years with the same provider ie city and guilds) as a stepping stone to level 2.

We would offer a learning support assessment with a view to providing you 1-1 learning support in class or a place in a class with a learning support worker to help out.

My classes are provided by the local authority. I don't know if things are different in colleges.

What exactly is it you find hard? Does the principle make sense but the application evade you?

Or do you not even understand the definitions?

Is it sequencing and analysis of maths problems you can't do? i.e. you're OK with just single sums, but working out how to apply them and break down the processes is what defeats you? Did you do OK with maths at school until you moved beyond pages of sums?

Google NVLD (Non Verbal Learning Disability). It's like dyslexia but with spatial processes, related to, but not the same as, dyspraxia. It's often associated with difficulty in organising your time and navigating physical space. A lot of people with this condition have great difficulty learning to drive. I'm fairly sure an old friend of mine has this - she's highly intelligent but was a disaster with maths, and can only organise herself with the help of technology. (She also has epilepsy and ASD traits, so a lot going on there).

Whatever your particular issue is, I think a visit to your college's learning support/study skills department would be worth your while.

Op I'm with you! I also have to do level 2 functional skills maths (and ICT!) My maths is in February I'm panicking! I just dont get it. I can't do things like graphs or algebra. I've got past papers but I can't do them arrrgh! I'm thinking about employing a tutor for a few sessions.

Oh and I'm 50, it's over 30 years since I was at school!

My teen son has always struggled with maths. Took him to an Ed Psych and he actually scores high on various maths skills tests, but has slow processing speed and a few other issues. It takes him 2-5 times as long as the next child to learn the same thing.

He now goes to a 1 on 1 tutor who teaches at his speed, and also allows him to learn in the format that works best for him - as it turns out he learns best standing up, working at a blackboard, constantly moving around.

It's revolutionised his experience of learning and school.

I have my FS Maths Level 1 too. I had to do it as part of my Business Admin apprenticeship. I also had to make a start on FS Maths Level 2 as well but it didn't matter if I failed it which I quite clearly did because it wasn't mentioned again afterwards.

I hate Maths with a passion. I got a G in it when I was at school. That's how bad I am at it.

You're not alone.

Discalculia is numerical dyslexia and it’s an actual thing. Looking at your writing, you seem to be articulate and good at communicating in writing. That makes me wonder if discalculia is a possibility because you’re obviously not lacking in intelligence.