Before you begin to worry about whether your young child has a problem with his math skills, it is important to get a bearing on where he stands in relation to other children his age. Children between ages 1 and 3 can usually organize things by size and count to five, while children between 3 and 5 should be able to count to 10 or 25 and understand basic shapes. Talk to other parents to find out where their kids are with mathematical skills.
Dyscalculia is a common learning disability that affects a child's ability to understand numeric and mathematical concepts. Children that display difficulty with counting small sums, organizing objects or understanding the values of numbers when used out of order may be suffering from dyscalculia. Other students may have a reading-based learning disability that can cause issues with word problems. Finally, some people just have a hard time with math in general.
You should never attempt to diagnose a child with a learning disability on your own. If you believe your child is experiencing problems with math as a result of dyscalculia or any other disability, speak with a physician to order a the correct diagnostics exam. All children develop at their own pace and yours may simply be developing more slowly than others. Talking to a trained professional will help ensure your child gets the appropriate support.
Children that are diagnosed with a learning disability will likely struggle with it for the rest of their lives. A learning disability will affect their work in the classroom as well as the workplace. If you help your child approach their challenges with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, you can show them that they can accomplish the same things as their non-disabled classmates. Students with learning disabilities will require more patience and study time but can be successful students.