Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is often associated with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. It involves a difficulty with learning and retaining basic math skills, manipulating numbers and completing mathematical tasks.

As maths is developmental, basic maths skills need to be regularly reinforced. A person with Dyscalculia may have a range of underlying difficulties including spatial orientation, sequencing and other organisational skills, as well as fine motor control and co-ordination.

Signs and symptoms

Typical symptoms of dyscalculia can include difficulties with:

• Learning and retaining basic maths, with a reliance on counting and addition when presented with a sum or calculation
• Navigation and orientation, including knowing left from right
• Money and budgeting
• Estimating, counting backwards and sequencing numbers
• Telling the time
• High levels of anxiety associated with maths and numbers
• Legibility of handwriting
• Time management

Ideas to support inclusion

Creating a clear and simple process with visual support can make a big difference.

• Break complex calculations and instructions down into clear step by step stages
• Encourage the person to visualise the mathematical problem, using shapes, colour, objects, etc
• Allow the use of a calculator, where appropriate
• Allow additional time to complete numerical tasks
• Allow access to digital alternatives for telling the time
• Help with systematic learning of maths terms and symbols