Remediation of Developmental Dyscalculia

The chapter offers an overview of Developmental Dyscalculia (DD), including remediation strategies and a case study showcasing a neuropsychological intervention for a child with DD. The authors emphasize that individual interventions targeting basic maths skills through direct or assisted instruction are considered the most effective. Given the heterogeneous nature of DD profiles, person-centered treatments with specific goals are needed. Different intervention modalities exist, such as math-centered approaches, psychological and behavioral approaches, music training, and multicomponent interventions. The choice of intervention depends on a multidimensional neuropsychological assessment to identify the unique characteristics of each child with DD. The authors present a clinical case where music training was employed aiming to enhance spatial skills and the learning of mathematical concepts in a child. The case study involved structured music training sessions, incorporating rhythmic and auditory activities. The authors conclude that this intervention yielded positive effects on numerical cognition, with the added advantage that music training can be conducted collectively and at a low cost in schools. Furthermore, music training promotes integration by enabling children with DD to participate alongside typically developing children, fostering social engagement.