A hospital in Shanghai has launched a clinic designed to assist children struggling with mathematics, incorporating a holistic intervention strategy that includes medical support. The Shanghai Children’s Medical Centre will open the Spatial and Mathematical Learning Difficulties Clinic on October 8, as reported by local media.
Managed by the hospital’s mental health team in collaboration with the Institute of Psychology and Behavioural Science at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the clinic emphasizes the importance of spatial cognitive ability in tackling math problems, particularly geometry. Neuroimaging studies indicate that students who struggle with geometry often show reduced activity in the parietal area of the brain, which is associated with spatial reasoning.
The clinic also highlights that deficits in spatial perception and imagination can negatively impact performance in other subjects, such as algebra, physics, and chemistry. Its mission is to support students facing challenges in understanding geometry and spatial problems, as well as complex concepts in science.
The approach includes thorough assessments to diagnose learning difficulties, offering a comprehensive intervention strategy that encompasses diagnostic evaluations, intervention guidance, parent education, and medication management. Services are priced at 316 yuan (US$45) per patient, and there are no age restrictions, allowing adults to seek assistance as well.
The clinic operates every Tuesday morning, with appointments for October already fully booked. Zhang Zeng, a senior math teacher from Shanghai’s Jiading District, expressed support for the clinic’s medical intervention, stating, “If we can accurately identify the reasons behind students’ weak spatial reasoning through precise medical analysis, it will benefit their studies in mathematics.”
However, some educators have voiced concerns about the clinic’s approach. An anonymous math teacher pointed out, “There is a fundamental distinction between a math learning difficulty and an illness. Various factors contribute to poor performance, including ineffective methods and low-quality teaching, but there are no physiological factors involved.”
It’s not uncommon for Chinese hospitals to offer services to help students manage academic challenges. Earlier this year, Beijing Children’s Hospital gained attention for opening a “school refusal clinic” to address mental health issues in children.
