Advice & resources
Dyslexia, maths difficulties and dyscalculia
Maths can be challenging for different reasons. Understanding the difficulties helps you find the right support.
When maths is difficult
Some people with dyslexia also find aspects of maths difficult. Remembering times tables, understanding a word problem or keeping track of the steps in a calculation can be challenging. This does not mean that every dyslexic person has maths difficulties, or that every maths difficulty is dyscalculia.
Useful questions are: which tasks are difficult, what happens when you try them, and what kind of explanation or support makes a difference?
Dyslexia and dyscalculia are not the same
Dyscalculia is distinct from dyslexia. It involves persistent difficulties with understanding and working with numbers and quantities. Other maths learning difficulties can arise for different reasons, including the demands on language, memory or processing.
The British Dyslexia Association distinguishes dyscalculia from the broader group of specific learning difficulties in maths. A difficulty with a particular maths topic, or being slow to recall times tables, does not establish a diagnosis.
Examples of maths challenges
Understanding mathematical ideas, recalling times tables, working with fractions and reading the 24-hour clock can be difficult. Depending on the individual, challenges may also include:
- Remembering number facts and mathematical vocabulary
- Following the order of steps in a calculation
- Understanding written maths problems
- Working with time, money or quantities in everyday life
These examples can help you describe concerns to a teacher or assessor. They are not a diagnostic checklist.
Finding a useful way forward
Start with the areas that are causing difficulty, rather than assuming someone cannot do maths. Discuss examples of work, explanations that have helped and any previous support with the learner’s teacher or education provider. Teaching can be adapted to the learner; progress and confidence matter alongside answers and speed.
Understanding the individual is a useful starting point for planning support. Memory and processing can be relevant to learning, but no single task explains every maths difficulty.
Discussing your needs with Dyslexiam
Kim can discuss concerns about dyslexia, learning and the support already in place. Dyslexia screening and dyslexia assessment have different purposes; neither should be assumed to diagnose dyscalculia.
If your main concern is number learning, explain this before arranging an appointment so that an appropriate assessment or source of support can be considered. Dyslexiam’s services described here are dyslexia assessment, screening and specialist teaching.
Further reading
Talk things through with Kim
Not sure what this means for you or your child? You can talk things through with Kim before deciding what support might be helpful.
Book a free 30-minute conversation