What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a term used by some people to describe difficulties with learning number related concepts or using the symbols and functions to perform maths calculations. Problems can include difficulties with number sense, telling the time, memorising number patterns, calculations and maths reasoning. Dyscalculia occurs across all ages and abilities.
Watch this video to learn more about this specific learning difference, common dyscalculia symptoms, and evaluation options.
Supporting your child at home
You are the expert of your child and are probably already putting in place strategies to support, sometimes without realising it. Here are some key strategies that may help children with dyscalculia.
Use real-life maths
Bring maths into everyday tasks:
- Cooking: Measure in grams and millilitres; double or halve recipes.
- Shopping: Ask them to help with money and change using real coins.
- Time: Read both digital and analogue clocks; set timers together.
- Transport: Read bus and train timetables, use journey planners together.
Visual and practical learning is key
Dyscalculia isn’t just a memory issue, it’s a processing issue. Tackle it by:
- Using number lines, dice, counters, or household items like pasta.
- Drawing diagrams or using coloured pens for each step.
- Keeping instructions short, clear, and step-by-step.
Get tech that’s useful
You don’t need to spend a fortune as many UK friendly apps are free or low-cost:
- White Rose Maths (Primary and Secondary): UK curriculum-aligned lessons and visuals
- NumBots: Brilliant for building number sense
- TTRockstars: Great for times tables
- BBC Bitesize: Age-appropriate help, aligned with the national curriculum
Support emotional wellbeing
- Keep home practice relaxed and short (10 to15 minutes max)
- Using breaks, movement, or calming strategies
Executive functioning and dyscalculia
Children with dyscalculia may also experience executive functioning challenges, particularly with:
- Working memory: Difficulty holding numbers in mind for calculations.
- Attention and flexibility: Trouble focusing and adapting during problem-solving.
- Self-regulation: Difficulty managing frustration or staying engaged with maths tasks.
They may lose track of steps in a problem or forget materials. Support strategies include:
- visual aids,
- chunking tasks, and
- extra processing time.
Working collaboratively with the school
Engage with the SENCO early
If you suspect your child may have dyscalculia, or if they are already diagnosed, arrange a meeting with the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). You can ask about:
- Individual support plans (IEPs or SEN support)
- Access arrangements for exams (e.g. extra time, a reader or scribe)
- Specialist interventions or small-group sessions
Keep the tone collaborative but clear. Your child’s needs should be met with respect and professionalism.
Keep detailed notes of all interactions with the school, including emails and phone calls, meeting minutes, reports and assessments, any support offered or agreed upon.
Strategies schools can implement
Schools can adopt various strategies to help children with any type of special educational need and this is not reliant on either a diagnosis or an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan, often referred to as an EHCP). The SEND code of practice provides statutory duties and guidance for school to follow.
Schools in Bromley have access to a SEN tool kit and support from the Inclusion Support Advisory team (ISAT) and the SEND Advisory Team (SENDAT). There are some examples of what schools may put in place as reasonable adjustments and where a diagnosis is not needed.
Examples of common classroom accommodations and strategies that can support some students with dyscalculia:
- Allow extra time for tests and assignments to reduce pressure and give students the opportunity to process information at their own pace.
- Use visual aids like charts, graphs, and number lines to help students understand mathematical concepts.
- Incorporate physical objects such as blocks, coins, and puzzles to make abstract concepts more concrete.
- Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps and provide clear, step-by-step instructions.
- Engage multiple senses by combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning methods.
- Relate math problems to real-life situations to make them more relevant and understandable.
- Provide a quiet room with minimal distractions for taking tests.
These accommodations and strategies can make a significant difference in helping children with dyscalculia thrive in a school setting.