What is Dyscalculia?

Although some people love Maths, some might not count it among their favourite subjects.

However, just like dyslexia can affect a person’s ability and enjoyment of reading, dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person's ability to develop mathematical skills. 

Affecting approximately 4-6% of the population, it can have a negative effect on everyday aspects of life, such as:

  • reading clocks
  • managing time
  • dealing with money
  • estimating quantities
  • following directions on a map.

Dyscalculia also causes difficulties with:

  • simple number concepts, like ‘larger’ and ‘smaller’
  • basic number facts and procedures
  • mathematical calculation and reasoning
  • patterns and symbols

These are frequently present in people with dyscalculia:

  • Errors in counting objects
  • Using finger counting and other immature strategies
  • Lack of confidence in the value or worth of a number
  • Problems with metrics (10s base) and decimals
  • Problems using a number line or measuring

How should they be taught?

Multisensory teaching of mathematics is critical for people with dyscalculia. They may calculate or use maths procedures correctly, but will do so mechanically and without robust confidence. 

This means our teachers must work with concrete materials before moving to pictorial and then abstract representations, as students with dyscalculia can experience extreme maths anxiety.

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"The teachers at Summit Point go above and beyond to nurture the different learning styles of students."

"Rebecca supported us to understand our child’s strengths and challenges and find a way to foster his love of learning."

"We have been working with Summit for almost a term and my word, our daughter has come a long way since she started at the school."

"It’s a hard decision sending your child to a ‘special’ school, but now we’re out the other side, we realise how much our daughter needed the attention and environment that Summit Point offers."

"Her time at Summit gave our daughter the space and time to learn at her own pace, be recognised for her talents and participate in the running of the school."

"Graduating from Summit, our child is a confident learner and has a range of strategies which have helped her transition to high school."

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Although some people love Maths, some might not count it among their favourite subjects. However, just like dyslexia can impact on a person’s ability and enjoyment of reading, dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that impacts a person's ability to develop mathematical skills. Affecting approximately 4-6% of the population, it can have a negative effect on everyday aspects of life, such as: reading clocks managing time dealing with money estimating quantities following directions on a map. Dyscalculia also causes difficulties with: simple number concepts, like ‘larger’ and ‘smaller’ basic number facts and procedures mathematical calculation and reasoning patterns and symbols These are frequently present in people with dyscalculia: Errors in counting objects Using finger counting and other immature strategies Lack of confidence in the value or worth of a number Problems with metrics (10s base) and decimals Problems using a number line or measuring How should they be taught? Multisensory teaching of mathematics is critical for people with dyscalculia. They may calculate or use maths procedures correctly, but will do so mechanically and without robust confidence. This means teachers must work with concrete materials before moving to pictorial and then abstract representations, as students with dyscalculia can experience extreme maths anxiety.