Dear researchers
To what extent can logical thinking be practised? The background to my question is the numerus clausus (EMS/TMS) – and the many expensive courses on offer designed to help students pass it. I am someone who takes a long time to recognise logical connections.
I myself have had a patient with dyscalculia whose greatest wish was to become a doctor. However, she was very anxious about the Numerus Clausus test, as it involves many visual-spatial tasks. We know from research that many people with dyscalculia also have difficulties with visual-spatial thinking, as arithmetic and mathematics are closely linked to spatial thinking. For example, we store numbers spatially in our brains on a sort of mental number line. In this respect, the Numerus Clausus test does indeed present a significant barrier for people with dyscalculia.
However, I am convinced that people with dyscalculia can also become good doctors. Furthermore, it is not necessarily the case that all people with dyscalculia have difficulties with visual-spatial reasoning.
The University of Zurich has an Office for Equality, ‘Equality, Diversity, Inclusion’, which may be able to help when it comes to obtaining compensation for a disadvantage due to dyscalculia in the Numerus Clausus test. From a legal perspective, a diagnosed case of dyscalculia is recognised as a disability (Disability Act, Art. 1(1) and (2), Art. 5(2)), which is why those affected are entitled to legally mandated reasonable adjustments. Such adjustments could, for example, include extra time for the entrance examination or similar accommodations.
I hope this is of some help, and I am happy to answer any further questions you may have at any time.