What is dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that makes it hard to understand math concepts and work with numbers. It affects even the most basic skills, like knowing bigger vs. smaller or estimating amounts. 

This lifelong condition is fairly common, affecting up to 7 percent of people.opens in a new tab Like dyslexia and other learning disorders, it’s partly caused by differences in the brain. Genetics may play a role, too.

Dyscalculia (sometimes called math learning disability or math dyslexia) can show up in different ways. Kids may struggle to learn math facts, tell time, or count money. Adults may have trouble managing money, figuring out a tip, or keeping track of time. The challenges can lower self-esteem and limit career opportunities. 

There are no medical treatments for dyscalculia. But there are strategies, tools, and supports at school and at work that can help. These range from calculators and timers to using objects (manipulatives) to learn and practice math skills. 

Researchers don’t know the exact causes of dyscalculia. But experts believe it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder. In other words, it’s a difference in how the brain grows and develops. Brain imaging studies have shown some differences in how the brain is structuredopens in a new tab and how it functions in areas that are linked to math skills. But the studies are small.

Dyscalculia also tends to run in families, so researchers think genetics play a role. The challenges with math are not caused by low intelligence, poor teaching, or laziness.

Experts believe dyscalculia is as common as dyslexia. But there’s been far less research into it. And the studies that have been done haven’t led to clear conclusionsopens in a new tab about exact differences in the brain with dyscalculia.

Some research has shown differences in the “math network” in the brain.opens in a new tab Other research found something else: The brains of people with dyscalculiaopens in a new tab work much harder than typical brains during math tasks, even simple ones like counting or comparing numbers.

According to professor and researcher Daniel Ansari, PhD, and Understood Expert, there’s been more research into literacy development than research into how we develop numerical and math skills. “But this picture is changing,” Ansari says, “as the last 20 years have seen a tremendous growth in research in the fields of numerical and mathematical cognition.”

There may also be a cultural reason why we know less about dyscalculia. According to Ansari, people don’t place the same value on math ability as they do on reading ability. So there’s less focus on math challenges than on reading challenges.

“In many Western countries, it is OK to admit that you are not very good at math, and math is often seen as something that is accessible only to a select group of individuals within a population,” he says. “Nobody would admit that they are illiterate, but people are very free to say that they were not very good at math.” 

Many people have challenges with math. For some, anxiety is the main problem. But when people struggle with the most basic math concepts from a very young age, the likely cause is dyscalculia.

People with dyscalculia can have trouble with math in different ways. Signs may vary from person to person. And they can look different at different ages.

Problems with number sense can show up as early as preschool. Young kids may not understand basic concepts like more and less or that a numeral stands for a specific number of items. Or they may have trouble understanding distance or time.

Parents may be able to catch the signs before their child starts school, according to math teacher Brandon Hodnett, and Understood Expert. “Maybe your child has trouble sort of understanding the space that’s around them or estimating how far it is to jump over that puddle,” he says. 

A child’s kindergarten teacher may notice some of the same issues and see that the child isn’t meeting certain benchmarks. But sometimes, challenges only become clear as math gets more complex in school.

Common signs of dyscalculia include trouble:

• Grasping the meaning of quantities or concepts like biggest vs. smallest

• Understanding that the numeral 5 is the same as the word five, and that these both mean five items

• Remembering math facts, like times tables

• Counting money or making change

• Estimating time

• Judging speed or distance

• Understanding the logic behind math

• Holding numbers in their head while solving problems

Math challenges at school and beyond can show up in different ways. Here are some examples of the signs by grade level. 

Preschool: Has trouble learning to count, recognizing patterns (like smallest to largest), or sorting objects by shape or size. 

Grade school: Has trouble recalling basic math facts and using number symbols like + and − correctly. Still uses fingers to count often. 

Middle school students: Has trouble understanding that 2 + 6 is the same as 6 + 2. Has a hard time understanding math word problems or figuring out the total cost of items at the store. Has trouble telling time with an analog clock.

High school: Struggles to read charts and graphs. Has trouble with advanced math classes like algebra. Has a hard time learning to drive and estimating speeds and distances. 

Many young adults with dyscalculia avoid further education, training, or jobs in areas that involve math. 

If you struggled with math as a child, with or without a diagnosis, you may continue to have trouble with life skills that involve math. For example, you might have difficulty with driving, managing time, and handling finances. 

You might also struggle with:

• Recalling PIN numbers and codes

• Estimating amounts/measurements

• Figuring out tips

• Applying discounts to prices

• Understanding bank statements or interest rates

• Remembering phone numbers or other information with numbers

To learn more about dyscalculia symptoms, watch Daniel Ansari explain common symptoms and when they might occur.

Having a diagnosis allows kids to get special education supports and services at school. Adults may be able to get accommodations at work. 

While getting a diagnosis is possible at any age, the earlier it happens, the better. Early detection and support can help improve math skills and prevent self-esteem issues that may last a lifetime.

“Struggling with math can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and embarrassment,” says Ansari. “Children are very sensitive to how well other students in their classroom are doing.” If kids feel they can’t keep up, they may start avoiding math, he adds.

The only way to know if your child has dyscalculia is through an evaluation by a specialist. Public schools do these assessments for free. The process is covered by the special education law IDEA.

Full evaluations for learning disabilities take a few hours. They’re often spread out over several days. It takes that long because evaluators look at a wide range of abilities, not just math skills.

There isn’t one single test for identifying math challenges. Evaluators use a set of tests to find out exactly which math skills are weak. Here are a few they might use: 

• Woodcock-Johnson (WJ) Calculation subtest: Checks how accurately a child solves math problems on paper, from basic addition to more advanced operations.

• WIAT Math Fluency subtest: Measures how fast and accurately a child recalls basic math facts, like 7 + 8.

• WISC-V Arithmetic subtest: Has a child solve problems in their head, without pencil and paper.

• WJ Applied Problems subtest: Uses word problems to see if a child can understand and solve real-world math situations.

• Feifer Assessment of Mathematics: Evaluates how a student’s brain processes math and which math-related pathways are hard.

They’ll also give your child multiple assessments in other areas. Dyscalculia often co-occurs with other conditions, like dyslexia and ADHD. So people may struggle with skills like reading or working memory, as well as math. All of the tests also show areas of strength.

School evaluations aren’t the only way to get a diagnosis or “identification,” which is the legal term they use in schools. Some specialists do private testing for a fee, which can be expensive. But there are local resources that offer free or low-cost options. 

After high school, the process for getting diagnosed is different. If you’ve struggled with math since childhood and suspect you have dyscalculia, you’ll have to find a private specialist. The professionals who do this type of testing include:

• Psychologists

• Psychiatrists

• Neuropsychologists

You may be able to find a specialist through a state chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of America,opens in a new tab an Understood founding partner. 

“There are actually very few resources for adults with dyscalculia,” says Ansari. 

For example, there are no tests designed for adult dyscalculia, according to Ansari. So, the evaluator would likely use tests similar to the ones given to kids and teens.

Dyscalculia doesn’t just go away. And there are no medications for the condition, although there are for some of the issues that often co-occur, like ADHD and anxiety. 

But having dyscalculia doesn’t mean that you or your child can’t ever learn to work with numbers and do math tasks. There are teaching approaches that can make learning math easier. And simple tools like calculators and timers can help with everyday challenges. 

At school, students may get individualized instruction in math through an IEP. Kids can also benefit from certain teaching techniques. One example is the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) approach. opens in a new tab

With this approach, teachers use visual representations to help students understand abstract math concepts. For example, students might use blocks or other manipulatives to help solve math problems. 

Another example is multisensory instruction, which uses the senses to help kids learn concepts. Families can use their child’s senses to make math practice more engaging, according to Hodnett. Getting away from worksheets and memorization at home can reduce anxiety. And it might make their child feel more interested and confident.

Dyscalculia accommodations and assistive technology can help kids at school. Some examples include teacher modeling, graphic organizers, extra time to complete work, or using a calculator on tests.

The earlier kids with dyscalculia get help, the better. Getting services and supports gives them the chance to improve skills before challenges lead to long-term problems in school and beyond.

If your child has been diagnosed with dyscalculia, talk with your child’s health care professional and teacher about the challenges. They may have resources or strategies that you can try. 

If your child has an IEP for special education services, be sure to stay on top of it. Ask for regular progress reports and make sure the plan is being followed in the classroom. 

If you have dyscalculia or a co-occurring condition as an adult, consider disclosing your disability at work. You may be able to get workplace accommodations so your challenges don’t keep you from doing your best on the job. Common accommodations include:

• Mentors to teach new tasks

• Daily schedules

• Multiple formats for important information

• Emails that recap meetings with video recordings

• Assistive technology

For some people, the challenges of dyscalculia can lead to mental health problems. Self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression are all common with dyscalculia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful for both kids and adults.

It’s important to know that not everyone with dyscalculia struggles in all areas of math. Finding areas of math that you or your child are engaged in can help you identify strengths, according to Ansari. 

Learn more about dyscalculia from math teacher Brendan Hodnett. He shares the importance of identifying kids with dyscalculia early so that schools can better support them. 

Read the transcript

Dyscalculia often co-occurs with other conditions.opens in a new tab The most common ones include dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. 

Dyscalculia can also cause problems with some non-math skills.opens in a new tab For example, research shows that poor visuospatial skills are common. People with dyscalculia can have trouble remembering patterns they see. Charts and graphs may be hard to understand, whether they’re in a math textbook or a report at work.

Other common challengesopens in a new tab include trouble with working memory, short-term memory, focus, and writing.

Thumbnail image credit: South_agency via Getty Images.