Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that primarily affects the skills involved in mathematics. Mathematics is an abstract subject which can make it difficult for children to relate mathematical concepts to real life scenarios. While all children learn maths skills at different rates and have difficulty mastering new concepts, this usually improves with practice. If difficulties with basic mathematical concepts persist despite consistent practice and your child is falling behind others in their class, they may be showing signs of Dyscalculia. 

Often mislabeled “number dyslexia” or “math dyslexia”, Dyscalculia is not as widely known as Dyslexia, a difficulty in reading, but can be equally as impactful on a child’s academic and daily life. Many people have questions about what Dyscalculia is, how it differs from Dyslexia, what causes it and what you can do to help a child with Dyscalculia. This fact sheet will explore each of these questions and more to provide a comprehensive understanding of Dyscalculia. 

What is Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disorder (SLD) characterised by persistent difficulties with processing number-related information and performing simple mathematical operations or calculations. Dyscalculia, also known as a mathematics learning disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition considered a subset of an overall difficulty with mathematics. 

Dyscalculia causes difficulties with number recognition, counting, understanding place value, number sense and mathematical problem solving. Mathematical skills are progressive, meaning you must understand the basic concepts before you can build up to more complex equations. When children with Dyscalculia cannot grasp simple number concepts, mathematics becomes very difficult. These challenges can impact academic performance and self-esteem, making it essential to provide support and intervention. 

It is thought that Dyscalculia is as common as Dyslexia, affecting around one in 10 people. It is a lifelong condition with no cure, but with early diagnosis, intervention and specialised education programs, children with Dyscalculia can learn alongside their classmates. 

Signs of Dyscalculia and Math Difficulties 

Because it is not well understood, the signs of Dyscalculia can be difficult to spot and may be missed. Learning how to identify Dyscalculia early can make a significant difference for children’s academic success. Some of the common signs include: 

• Poor Number Recognition: Unable to identify or understand numbers and their value (e.g., the 3 in the number 123 is worth less than the 3 in 32). 
• Poor Counting Skills: May still use fingers to count. 
• Trouble with Basic Mathematical Skills: Struggle to perform basic maths operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and recall common number facts (e.g., 11 comes after 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 2 x 0 = 0) 
• Poor Number Sense: Trouble understanding quantities, estimating and recognising patterns. 
• Inconsistent Calculation Skills: Forgets the steps to solve a maths problem, uses wrong calculation process or can solve a mathematical problem one day and not the next. 
• Difficulty Demonstrating Mathematical Reasoning 
• Struggles to understand information in charts and graphs 
• Difficulty telling the time 
• Avoidance of Maths Related Tasks 
• Anxiety Towards Maths 

It’s important to note that not all math difficulties are caused by Dyscalculia; other factors can also impact a child’s ability to perform in math. 

What Causes Dyscalculia

The exact cause of Dyscalculia is still unknown. However, current research suggests that genetics and differences in parts of the brain may contribute Dyscalculia.

How is Dyscalculia Diagnosed? 

To get an understanding of your child’s mathematical skills, in the first instance it’s good to reach out to your child’s math teacher. If your child’s maths skills are well below what is expected of their age and you notice any of the above signs of Dyscalculia, you may need to seek further assessment. 

Understand that it can take time to make a diagnosis of Dyscalculia. Before undertaking a formal assessment, you need to demonstrate that your child has undergone at least six months of explicit instruction in maths, at school or through private tutoring. It’s also important to consult with a GP or paediatrician to rule out any medical issues that may be contributing to your child’s challenges, such as hearing or vision impairments. Once consulting a GP or paediatrician, children and young people having trouble with mathematics may be referred for formal assessment of their difficulties. However, you do not need a referral to book an assessment with a psychologist. 

A formal assessment to diagnose Dyscalculia and other maths difficulties in children must be conducted by a psychologist. Psychologists perform cognitive and academic testing in all areas of learning and development to identify a child’s strengths and needs. By testing all areas, a psychologist can determine if a child’s troubles with math are caused by Dyscalculia, provide recommendations for the most appropriate intervention for your child’s specific needs and also rule out other potential causes for your child’s trouble in mathematics. 

A comprehensive Dyscalculia assessment by a psychologist may include: 

• Family Questionnaire: Gathering information about your child’s developmental history, family history of learning disabilities, educational history and any medical conditions that may impact their learning. 
• Cognitive Testing: Evaluating intellectual abilities, memory, and processing speed to rule out other potential causes of learning difficulties. 
• Academic or Educational Assessment: Evaluating academic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, comprehension and mathematics. 
• Observation and Reports: Examining school reports or attending classes to understand your child’s performance in academic settings 

Following an assessment, a comprehensive written report with recommendations for home and school will be provided and discussed with you. In some cases, a formal diagnosis of Dyscalculia may be mentioned in the report, while in other cases a diagnosis of a specific learning disorder (SLD), with impairment in mathematics, may be mentioned. Both terms describe challenges with understanding numbers, remembering number facts and performing mathematical calculations but SLD may indicate your child has broader difficulties in mathematics than Dyscalculia. Understanding the distinction and differences between the two can help in identifying the best support for your child. 

How Families Can Help Their Child

For many parents and carers, helping children with maths at home can be daunting because they haven’t taken maths classes in a while and there are new methods of teaching. 

Thankfully, there are many fun and simple activities to support children with Dyscalculia at home: 

• Practice Counting Together: Use manipulatives like blocks, toys or even cereal to practice counting during play and everyday routines. 
• Play Games with Numbers: Snap, memory, puzzles and number I Spy can all help to build number recognition 
• Play Board Games: Rolling die and counting places on a board help to practice basic counting and addition skills 
• Create Opportunities for Practice: Use everyday situations like cooking, grocery shopping or going to a cafe to talk about numbers, count and perform simple calculations. 
• Use iPad Apps: There are many apps and online games to choose from that can make practicing basic math skills fun for your child 
• Communicate Frequently with Your Child’s Teachers: Check on their progress in math class and find out what you can do at home to further support them. Advocate for your child if you feel extra support or special teaching arrangements may help them 

By implementing these strategies, parents can create a supportive and effective learning environment that helps their children with Dyscalculia develop their math skills and build confidence. 

Additional Information

Understanding Number Sense 

Number sense is a fundamental skill that allows individuals to understand, interpret, and work with numbers. It involves an intuitive grasp of numbers and their relationships. Often children with Dyscalculia struggle with number sense, which affects their ability to perform even the simplest arithmetic tasks. Strengthening number sense through targeted activities and practice is crucial for helping these children overcome their difficulties. Poor number sense can significantly impact a person‘s ability to solve math problems. 

Exploring the Term ‘Math Dyslexia’ 

Though “number Dyslexia” or “maths Dyslexia” are sometimes used colloquially to describe Dyscalculia, this can be misleading and contributes to the lack of public understanding of what Dyscalculia is. Dyslexia is often used to describe learning difficulties more generally but the term “lexia” refers to words or language. Children with Dyslexia may also have difficulty with maths, specifically with worded problems, but if a child is having significant difficulty with numbers this is more likely to be Dyscalculia. Children with Dyscalculia will require vastly different support approaches to those with Dyslexia, so it is important to understand the distinctions between these two learning disorders. Children with Dyslexia may struggle with word problems, but those with Dyscalculia face unique challenges in understanding and solving these types of problems. 

Helpful Resources

SPELD NSW 

SPELD NSW offers support for individuals with specific learning difficulties, including Dyscalculia. They provide resources, tutoring services, workshops, and assessments.