MATHEMATICAL DISABILITIES - COGNITIVE, NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL, AND GENETIC COMPONENTS

Cognitive, neuropsychological, and genetic correlates of mathematical achievement and mathematical disability (MD) are reviewed in an attemp t to identify the core deficits underlying MD. Three types of distinct cognitive, neuropsychological, or cognitive and neuropsychological de ficits associated with MD are identified. The first deficit is manifes ted by difficulties in the representation or retrieval of arithmetic f acts from semantic memory. The second type of deficit is manifested by problems in the execution of arithmetical procedures. The third type involves problems in the visuospatial representation of numerical info rmation. Potential cognitive, neuropsychological, and genetic factors contributing to these deficits, and the relationship between MD and re ading disabilities, are discussed. Finally, suggestions for the subtyp ing of mathematical disorders are offered.