I have a form of dyscalculia that affects my ability to read, write out, and process basic numerical operations. While I know that x^2 * x^2 should equal x^4, when I see a math problem like this, I often screw it up for no damn good reason. It's also not a matter of care; I can review and review my work and I simply do not see issues.
What seems to have helped me was to drill on an abacus, specifically an IOS app called Know Abacus. I also had a physical abacus to play with and that was really fun. I'm brushing up my skills with Khan at the moment, and I've noticed that after the abacus drills, my gut instincts were better about spotting issues or knowing what to do.
I think the abacus helped by making math operations a physical action (move 2 beads then move 2 beads to add, then see & count 4 beads) compared to a mental projection action (think of 2 things then think of 2 more things and remember I have 4 things because 2 + 2 = 4).
Edit: for reference, I am American who went through US public schools in a variety of states. The abacus training was completely absent from my primary education unlike perhaps some of our fellow HNers from Asia.
What seems to have helped me was to drill on an abacus, specifically an IOS app called Know Abacus. I also had a physical abacus to play with and that was really fun. I'm brushing up my skills with Khan at the moment, and I've noticed that after the abacus drills, my gut instincts were better about spotting issues or knowing what to do.
I think the abacus helped by making math operations a physical action (move 2 beads then move 2 beads to add, then see & count 4 beads) compared to a mental projection action (think of 2 things then think of 2 more things and remember I have 4 things because 2 + 2 = 4).
Edit: for reference, I am American who went through US public schools in a variety of states. The abacus training was completely absent from my primary education unlike perhaps some of our fellow HNers from Asia.