Counting change...I'm of the generations that were taught to count change - but I never got it.Now I've found I have a form of dyslexia called dyscalculia.I've always been very scathing of such made up problems,they are just a cop out for being stupid...and if I had ever heard of dyscalculia I'm sure I'd have laughed and said bullshit!
However,it does exist.I have no concept of higher maths,plain arithmetic is hard enough for me....fortunately I was able to drop maths in the 4th form.A classic symptom of dyslexia is thinking in 3D pictures....and that's how I calculate - I add and subtract using mental images of dice,finger counting with dots in my head.I have developed a strong memory for mental imagery,and can do some big sums,even complex long division in my head.However,if I can't picture it,I can't comprehend.So arithmetic is all I can do.
But without knowledge of a problem,I learned to cope (lie and cheat).I have had to handle money in my jobs....ran my own business for 11 years,taking money and giving change.It was hard,but I developed my own methods (counting back doesn't work for me,I don't know how it works).Luck was on my side - calculators,dropping 1cent,and then 5cent coins.I worked my bills out to the nearest dollar if possible....50cents maybe.
No excuse for smart kids who have never been taught - but hey,some of us were just born stupid.But now I can call it dyslexia/dyscalculia - it's good to have a cop out.I should work on a disability benefit from ACC.
In and out of jobs, running free
Waging war with society
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