What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects the ability to understand and work with numbers. It involves persistent problems in grasping basic number concepts and relationships, such as recognising quantities, comparing magnitudes, recalling number facts, and applying procedures accurately.

SASC describes dyscalculia as a distinct difficulty in acquiring basic arithmetic skills that cannot be explained by general learning difficulties, poor teaching, or lack of opportunity. It is a domain-specific difficulty — that is, focused on numerical processing — rather than a general issue with learning or reasoning.

People with dyscalculia may find it hard to estimate, tell the time, handle money, or remember number patterns such as times tables. Like dyslexia, it can co-occur with other specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, ADHD or dyspraxia.

Early identification and targeted teaching — for example, using visual representations, concrete materials, and step-by-step instruction — can help learners develop number sense and build confidence in mathematics.