Much like having Dyslexia is more complex than simply being “bad at reading/writing,” dyscalculia is more complicated than simply having “poor number skills.”

Simple tasks like estimating quantities, telling time, memorizing times tables, and even reading numbers are a challenge. As academics and college admissions grow more competitive, dyscalculia can leave students feeling hopeless and misunderstood.

Nonetheless, Dyscalculia is the result of a brain wired differently, not a lack of effort or intelligence. With the right classroom support and teaching methods, students can see significant math class progress.

Signs of Dyscalculia in Younger Students

Dyscalculia is a lifelong condition that typically becomes apparent in childhood. In the basic elementary school curriculum, math is commonly based around memorization and instilling knowledge of basic arithmetic concepts.

Common signs of dyscalculia in younger children include:

• Trouble understanding basic number quantity (e.g. not being certain if 10 is a higher number than 5, or being unable to count how many dots are in a small array)
• Significant trouble recalling basic addition or multiplication tables, even with repeated practice and drills
• Difficulty telling time on an analog clock
• Difficulty with money (e.g. counting bills or change)
• Difficulty connecting symbols to numbers (e.g. not knowing that “eight” and “8” are the same number)

Though individuals with dyscalculia are more likely to have other learning disabilities, such as ADHD or dyslexia, it is not in and of itself linked to difficulty with non-math-based academic subjects or social skills. As a result, writing off signs of dyscalculia as simply being “bad at math” or “a lack of effort” is unfortunately very common.

Dyscalculia in Older Students

As students age, they may eventually develop an understanding of basic math, but struggle to keep up with their current classes and peers. Signs of undiagnosed dyscalculia in adolescents and young adults are:

• Struggles comprehending word problems
• Poor academic/grade performance in analytical or number-heavy classes
• Difficulty with math homework and tests, when a teacher cannot help out
• Difficulty memorizing long strings of numbers like zip codes or phone numbers
• Confusion over following directions, such as mixing left and right
• Difficulty figuring out distance/length of travel times

Dyscalculia’s impact goes beyond simply the classroom. It impacts an individual’s ability to perform basic numerical tasks, even as adults.

Nurturing a Supportive Classroom Environment

Many students with Dyscalculia have developed fixed mindsets because of difficult past experiences and toxic teaching environments. This is further compounded by curriculums designed for neurotypical learners and peers making faster learning progress.

Classroom environments that encourage growth over competition significantly benefit students with Dyscalculia. By shifting the emphasis from performance to developing an understanding of the subject matter, students’ anxiety around math drops and confidence rises as they learn more.

Using visual and verbal aids can help those with dyscalculia immensely by explaining math concepts in a way more in tune with their learning style.

Some helpful classroom techniques and strategies that greatly help students with dyscalculia include:

• Math Journals. Like a cheat sheet, but one which the student makes on their own. When a student learns something new, they write a written explanation of how to solve the problem. They can then go back to this as a reference in the future.n the future.
• Physical tools. Abacuses, coins, base-10 blocks, or other physical objects can help younger students visualize counting more easily.
• Incorporating real-world scenarios into teaching. Connect math to non-classroom related situations, like cooking measurements or buying something at the store.
• Linear Progression. Only teach one skill at a time.

In addition, no case of Dyscalculia is the same. Some students have more severe cases than others, and onset/diagnosis times can vary substantially. It is important for teachers to talk with parents and students themselves to figure out what benefits them personally.

Dyscalculia and Technology

Many modern forms of technology also make math easier not only for students with Dyscalculia, but the general public as a whole.  Some forms of educational and mathematical technology that can greatly help students with Dyscalculia are:

• These allow for quick and easy calculations of simple math equations, allowing students to focus their energy on more complex topics.
• Gamified apps. Blooket, prodigy, math bingo, and other apps that make learning into games help students through offering hints to players when facing challenges and rewarding them for success.
• AI tools. As artificial intelligence has grown in prominence, a few tools designed to help students with Dyscalculia have been developed.
  • Dyscalculator: An AI tool explicitly designed for those with Dyscalculia, which helps to break down math equations step-by-step and explain them verbally or visually.
  • Smartick: A testing tool that accesses student’s math abilities, using a mix of accuracy and response times to determine if students potentially have intellectual disabilities.

Find Academic Help with Test Prep Score

No two students are the same, and some may need more help with certain subjects than others. Any student with Dyscalculia is sure to understand this.

Here at Test Prep Score, our goal is to help every student, neurotypical or neurodivergent, succeed in the classroom and during testing.

If you’re a dyscalculic student looking for support with mathematics, you’re in the right place. Check out our Find A Tutor page for online or in-person tutor options.