Dyspraxia, also often called Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), can have an even bigger impact on adult mathematical performance than previously thought, in response to latest research from the University of Surrey.
DCD is a prevalent neurodevelopmental movement condition affecting roughly 5% of the population. It’s characterised by difficulties with positive and/or gross motor coordination. These challenges often persist into maturity, impacting every day activities and academic performance. Despite its high prevalence, DCD stays poorly understood, particularly in adults.
Previous research has highlighted that children with DCD are inclined to have lower maths performance in comparison with their neurotypical peers. Nevertheless, until now, no studies have examined the maths performance of adults with DCD, a vital gap in understanding this condition’s lifelong impact.
DCD affects movement coordination skills, and consequently, individuals with DCD may perform less well than expected for his or her age in lots of every day activities comparable to balance, sports and learning to drive. It is usually identified in early childhood and is a lifelong condition.
The research team investigated the influence of cognitive (working memory) and emotional (maths anxiety) aspects on the maths performance of adults with and without DCD. Adults with DCD demonstrated lower working memory and maths performance and reported higher levels of maths anxiety in comparison with adults without DCD.
As a part of the investigation, participants accomplished as many easy mental arithmetic tasks as possible in a single minute. This task was assumed to be fully automated in adults, with little use of working memory. Nevertheless, individuals with DCD accomplished fewer tasks accurately, suggesting a possible slower processing speed during this straightforward numerical task.
Further evaluation showed that the maths performance of adults with DCD was more strongly linked to working memory than the neurotypical population. This implies that adults with DCD lacked automation with these tasks and needed to depend on working memory for added support, making them slower and fewer accurate of their answers.
Dr Anna-Stiina Wallinheimo, lead creator of the study and Research Fellow in Cognitive Psychology, on the University of Surrey, said:
“Our research demonstrates a transparent link between working memory resources and maths performance in adults with Dyspraxia.
“Interestingly, we found that adults with DCD may rely more heavily on working memory to perform even easy arithmetic tasks. By understanding the reliance on working memory and the unique impact of maths anxiety, educators can develop targeted interventions to enhance maths performance and overall cognitive well-being in individuals with DCD. “
Given the lifelong nature of DCD and the crucial importance of strong numeracy skills for on a regular basis activities (comparable to financial planning, cooking, and time management), the insights gained from this research will undeniably make a useful contribution to the prevailing literature.
Dr Judith Gentle, co-author of the study and Senior Lecturer in Psychology on the University of Surrey, said:
“This research not only advances our understanding of the cognitive challenges faced by adults with Dyspraxia but in addition underscores the necessity for tailored educational approaches.
“Our findings advocate for a more nuanced view of cognitive support, moving beyond traditional methods to deal with the particular needs of adults with DCD.”
