While it is a quick way to explain it to someone who is not familiar with the name, it’s more than just that.
I learned about dyscalculia in late 2022 but it was a relief knowing there *was* a reason why I struggle with numbers even at outside school. My aim with this booklet is to inform people that don’t have dyscalculia and inform on what it is like to have a learning disability as an adult.
A difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.
People with dyscalculia may share all the above difficulties, but what makes them distinct is their lack of number sense which is a cognitive function associated with the left parietal sulcus and the frontal lobe. It is mostly found in children as they start learning mathematical skills in school.
People with dyscalculia make up around 6% of the UK population, which is roughly 3 million people.
And with each year research on dyscalculia keeps growing, gaining recognization and awareness.
Verbal Dyscalculia
A difficulty in naming and understanding the mathematical concepts presented verbally.
Characterized by a difficulty translating an abstract mathematical concept into a real concept.
Lexical Dyscalculia
Trouble reading and understanding mathematical symbols and numbers, as well as mathematical expressions or equations.
Difficulty writing, read and use the correct mathematical symbols.
Difficulty carrying out mental operations without using numbers and understand mathematical concepts.
It presents itself with a difficulty to complete written or spoken mathematical operations or calculations.
Acalculia is a condition similar to dyscalculia that can be acquired later in life. It is caused by brain injuries like strokes.
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Everyone’s experience is bound to be different, dyscalculia can range from mild to severe. Some people are not heavily affected by it, while others need adjustments.
With the right methods people can improve their mathematical skills and enjoy it.
Diagnosed or undiagnosed, their learning disability is not any less valid. If a school doesn’t offer screenings and testings for their students, the cost for a full diagnosis can reach up to over £600.
Just like the alphabet, math is everywhere and essential. It’s not something that can be avoided even in environment that one might think has no relation with math.
Most support is given when in education, what is it like being dyscalculic outside education?
In the next pages you will hear their short stories.
Michelle Steiner — Photographer
“When I tell people that I can’t drive because of my disability, I get a variety of responses. I have had people offer solutions to try to cure me or look at me in disbelief. I’ve been told ‘You’re so lucky that you don’t have to drive.’”
“I may not have to experience driving in bad weather and having the other responsibilities of owning a car, but not being able to drive creates a set of complications that a person who drives does not have to experience.
Shame is also part of the stigma attached to a person who doesn’t drive. I had a person come up to me and tell me, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not driving.”I explained to her that I couldn’t drive because of my disability.
She was not aware of that and compared me to a man who wouldn’t drive because he didn’t want to be separated from his mother.
Instead of telling me how lucky I was to not have to drive, I wish that person had said I was lucky to have a strong support system. I have friends and family that take me places.”
Michelle Steiner — Photographer“I made a mistake when I mixed times for my children’s first day of swim lessons. When we showed up at 10:30, what I thought was another group finishing up was actually my children’s group and that’s when I realized I had completely missed the time.
I prepared a LOT for this change in our schedule. I checked and re-checked the time and dates, I wrote it in my planner. The day before, I’d written “10-10:30 AM!!!” four times in a row. And still, I had failed. I was the only mom that “missed the memo,” and it wasn’t the first time.”
“Hi, my name is Elle, and I have dyscalculia. I’ve always had it, but didn’t know I had it until I was in my late 30s.”
Elle Matthews — Blogger
“When outside school it’s much more difficult to diagnose adults. Psychologists don’t have tools to help adults with it, so it is very difficult to get accommodation. Basically, there really isn’t a “point” in an adult being diagnosed.
Because there is no way to help with it, no steps to take to aid an adult dealing with this, especially because the diagnosis is coming from someone who aids in education. If your education is complete, well, good luck with life.”
9 min 0,4 , miles
“Good, it’s not too far just two songs long”
“While I wouldn’t say I struggle a lot with spatial awareness to the point it limits my daily activities, I do struggle with keeping track of time. I tend to use music, for example when taking a shower or when going out.
I noticed I take a lot of time when I’m doing things like doing groceries so I learned to use music to keep truck of time when possible. Alarms don’t work much especially when showering as you have to manually turn it off, it’s a method that works well for me.”
“Card payments have been still carry change I find setting stressful than messing up counting
been a life saver for me, while I setting a budget on my card less counting when I have to pay.”
“In school it was a struggle. Luckily I have a job now where I don’t have to use maths too much. When I do have to use it, I need to use a calculator or best scenario get someone else to do it. If I use a calculator I still have to check a million times.
Numbers confuse me a lot. I read a lot of numbers as letters, it’s hard to explain, and can’t tell the time. In my personal life, my boyfriend has to handle anything number related. We’ve missed appointments I’ve arranged before because I don’t have a great grasp on time, especially 24 hour time.”
“I’m undiagnosed, outside of school I struggle with numbers greatly, I have a very hard time counting. It’s embarrassing when I’m trying to figure out how much something is and then they say the number... I know they’re just trying to help but I can’t help but feel embarrassed still I’m glad they say so I don’t struggle as much. Yesterday I went to a carnival with my friends and that happened when I was trying to count how many tickets I had.
I never used to be this bad at counting, sure I always struggled with it but now it’s harder than ever. I even have trouble with simple equations like 5 + 3 like c’mon bro it’s not that hard just add 3! I struggle with a lot of other things too, counting is just the worst.”
“I know for sure I will not be working at a register.”
“My recent neuropsychological testing was a validating experience. I was finally diagnosed with specific learning disability, impairment in mathematics — dyscalculia.
Now, for anyone reading this, I think it’s important to note that it is most certainly possible to get a learning disability diagnosis as an adult. But a learning disability doesn’t just “show up” at age 26 (unless there is head trauma involved). It is something I’ve always had, alongside other issues with mental health and attention and learning.”
“I can easily picture my first grade, second grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, ninth grade (and the list goes on) self struggling with math and understanding numbers. Learning to tell time was a struggle, as was understanding how to count money. I still struggle with these things at times. You’ll never catch me doing a puzzle for fun and pretty much anything to do with the periodic table makes me cringe.
You can ask my mother — I shed many tears as a child and teenager over math. I remember being in third grade and sitting in the dining room, staring at a onepage worksheet for hours.”
With this booklet, I really hope I was able to give you an idea on what dyscalculia is, and how it affects daily life for adults.
You can read it online and learn more here:
linktr.ee/morethanmathdyslexia
