HOUSTON -- Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston are trying to figure out why some children succeed in math and others do not, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

If seeing numbers and math problems sends you into a panic attack, you're not alone.

"I would raise my hand to get out of class all the time," said Wesley Benford.

The second-grader said he had anxiety in math class and tried to hide his fear of math by excusing himself.

"I would raise my hand and ask if I could go to the bathroom, and the teacher said yes, and I don't think she noticed," said Benford.

He admits he thought it was just best to hide his fear of math. No one caught on for months, except for Wesley's mother.

"His grades declined. We were concerned because he had always been very excited about learning and he had hit a roadblock," said Alania Benford.

Now, scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston are using MRIs to study how the brain processes mathematics.

"There's definitely a very systematic way the brain is going about processing this information and children with math problems or even have a math disability -- it's that their brain will process math differently. However, the good news is there's a lot we can do to prevent math disabilities, challenges or struggles for children," said Dr. Susan Landry, with the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.

Scientists are using MRIs to identify what areas of math might require additional and alternate methods of instruction. They said it's a critical study.

Right now, the United States ranks 12th of 25 countries among eighth-graders in math and science.

"We have a serious problem in our country, " said Landry.

ExxonMobil recently ran national television ads stressing the importance of encouraging kids to stick with math and science.

According to the latest statistics from the National Science Foundation, in 2006, 40,334 permanent U.S. residents were enrolled in an engineering graduate program compared to 47,484 foreign students.

"We will need to import people from other countries who have these skills and we're already seeing a lot of that. There's no reason why we can't be stellar in this area," said Landry.

Landry recommends integrating math into everyday life with your kids, such as when you cook and shop.

For the Benfords, it was Kumon -- an after-school program to help take away the fear of math.

"I feel like it's been a big difference for me. I've been doing real good in math," said Wesley.

A year and a half later, Wesley is thriving.

"His report card at the end of the year reflected he had made some real gains," said his mother.