Dyscalculia
"About 1 in 20 people have dyscalculia in the UK and it can potentially reduce lifetime earnings by £114,000"
Definition:
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects an individual’s ability to understand, learn, and perform math and number-based tasks. It is often referred to as "math dyslexia," though it is distinct from dyslexia. Dyscalculia is recognised by difficulties in numerical reasoning, processing, and calculation.
Presentation and Experience:
Dyscalculia can present itself in various ways, often making everyday mathematical tasks challenging. Individuals with dyscalculia might struggle with basic arithmetic, understanding time, handling money, or even recognising patterns and sequences.
These challenges can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem, especially when these difficulties are not understood or adequately supported by others.
For someone with dyscalculia, the experience can be akin to a constant battle with numbers and related concepts. They might find it hard to follow numerical instructions, read charts or graphs, or remember mathematical facts and sequences. This can make tasks that others find simple, such as managing a budget or scheduling, overwhelming and stressful.
By understanding and accommodating the needs of individuals with dyscalculia, businesses can create an inclusive environment that allows all employees to thrive.
Common Traits of Dyscalculia
• Difficulty understanding numerical concepts and symbols.
• Challenges with arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Problems with spatial reasoning and recognising patterns.
• Difficulty with time-related tasks (reading clocks, understanding elapsed time).
• Trouble with estimation and mental math.
• Difficulty keeping track of scores or numbers in games and sports.
• Struggles with remembering mathematical facts and sequences.