Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Dyscalculia -Is it free to be tested?

48 replies

Beauregard · 05/03/2008 20:23

Does anyone know?

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 20:36

bump

OP posts:
Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:39

depends on who it is for, I think, and who requests it.

Schools may get a child assessed by an ed psych, but the waits are long.

depends on the severity of the problem

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:40

(we paid for ds to be assessed....dyspraxia/graphia in his case as he is in a private school, it cost us £350! )

Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 20:47

It would be for me

OP posts:
Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:50

I've never come across an adult being tested outside of an accademic setting. So I work with people who had their dylexia diagnosed in collage. But that was with the specific aim of getting them extra time/ scribes etc in examination.

Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 20:50

oh i couldn't afford that

Can i ask my GP about this or will they laugh at me?

OP posts:
Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:51

Can I ask why you feel the need to be tested? and what would be the outcome of a positive diagnosis?

VirginiaWoolf · 05/03/2008 20:53

Somewhere like the British Dyslexia Association would probably be able to put you in touch with someone who would assess you, but it would be expensive. Not sure that a GP would do anything about it, tbh. Think martianbishop asks very valid questions - what impact do you imagine a diagnosis would have?

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:54

\link{http://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/amidyscalculic.html\this gives you some general guidance, but wouldn't count as a formal diagnosis.

I feel that I have traits of dyspraxia/lexia. I can see many of my traits in my son's diagnosis, but there really isn't much point in me getting a diagnosis at this stage in my life, as there isn't any real beneficial outcome other than thinking, 'Ah, that is why my handwriting is so horrifically bad, I'm so crap at spelling and mildly phobic about forms'

and the NHS isn't going to fork out £350 for that!

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 20:55

If I were to go back into formal education, and could get some benefit out of the dx it might be helpful IYSWIM

Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 20:57

I remember being given my 1st maths book aged 5 and i cried and cried and from there it got worse.Bottom class for maths all through school etc,in fact i used to refuse to go if i had maths and would become hysterical.I remember the teacher trying over and over to get me to understand things and i just could not retain the information.I cannot do even basic mathmatics .I am concerned because it does affect my life and i wont be able to help my dd1 with her maths as she grows older.I even make mistakes just counting out money etc even with the use of a calculator.
I had an assessment today which involved maths and i started shaking and was unable to complete the test and had to state on the sheet that i suspect i may be dyscalculic and could this be taken into account.
It has often held me back and i hate it.

OP posts:
Mercy · 05/03/2008 20:59

I think I have a few dyscalculic traits but I can't be bothered to do anything about it now.

Why do you ask Pelvic?

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 21:00

Is it worth loking into doing some of the Adult basic maths courses? Adult Literacy and Numeracy, ALAN, they go byit think.....will goggle. Be assured you are not alnone on feeling like this

Mercy · 05/03/2008 21:00

Sorry, was still typing when you posted.

Is it just maths that affects you though?

Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 21:00

Thanks for the replies btw

I would rather just know than be left wondering if it is just me being crap iykwim.

I also have problems with certain tasks eg even putting a car parking ticket on the window i have to think for a while as to how i put it on because it means reversing one side,stuff like that.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 05/03/2008 21:03

this is the sort of thing I was on about

Lots of adult ed places run adult numeracy courses. and they are geared towards adults not kids so they are not patronising. We use them with some of our students who have 'issues' with maths. And you can end up with a GCSE equivalent grade

Mercy · 05/03/2008 21:05

I can't drive, can't judge distance, read a map/follow directions, tell left from right unless I really concentrate etc.

Basic maths is the least of my problems tbh (I have avoided jobs which involve it - and have said so in interviews)

Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 21:06

Makes me feel like crying just reading that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 21:07

Thats it mercy i am the same,have only just passed my driving test at 32 but cannot park and yes have to think about left and right etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 05/03/2008 21:09

Thanks martianbishop is that just online ?
I would have a panic attack just looking at the handbook i think.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 05/03/2008 21:11

Learndirect run them I think. But if you are very nervous it might be worth while checking if your local night school runs classes as the help from the teacher might be better for you than distance learning

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 21:11

Learndirect run them I think. But if you are very nervous it might be worth while checking if your local night school runs classes as the help from the teacher might be better for you than distance learning

Blandmum · 05/03/2008 21:14

I've just had a shufti at our local adult education place and they run night classes in Adult Numeracy which are free, and if you get the level two, that is equivalent to half a GCSE (IIRC)

Mercy · 05/03/2008 21:15

Please don't cry

I've just learnt to accept it tbh (I recently tried to help dd with her maths homework and got it wrong. I couldn't understand 2x0). There are people who have problems with literacy though - and you are obviously not one of them!

If I go somewhere new for the first time I have to get dh to write detailed instructions. And I mean as basic as 'turn left when you leave the house and walk down the road until you get to X Road and see the traffic lights' etc

Califrau · 05/03/2008 21:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.