How to Find Out If You Have Dyscalculia

If you find numbers confusing, struggle with basic maths, or feel like calculations don’t make sense despite your efforts, you may be wondering how to find out if you have dyscalculia. Dyscalculia is not a disease and should not be self-diagnosed based on signs alone. A proper assessment by a psychologist is needed for an accurate diagnosis.

In this blog, we will explain what dyscalculia is and how it may develop. We will also cover some common signs associated with it and why a professional assessment is important before coming to a conclusion.

What Is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person's ability to understand numbers, recognise mathematical symbols, and perform calculations. It is often described as the numerical equivalent of dyslexia, although the two conditions are distinct and involve different areas of learning.

Dyscalculia is not related to a person's intelligence or how much effort they put into learning maths. Even with teaching, practice, and effort, a person with dyscalculia may have difficulties learning and using numerical information and mathematical skills. Dyscalculia may also affect basic skills such as counting, understanding quantity, remembering maths facts, or following sequences and steps in a calculation.

How Does Dyscalculia Develop?

Dyscalculia is understood to be a neurodevelopmental condition linked to differences in how the brain develops and processes information related to numbers and mathematics. It is not caused by poor teaching, lack of motivation, or low intelligence.

Dyscalculia often continues into adulthood, rather than disappearing as a person gets older. Without support, these challenges may continue from the classroom into everyday adult life, showing up in work tasks, budgeting, or time management.

Does Dyscalculia Occur Alongside Other Conditions?

Dyscalculia can co-occur with other learning and developmental conditions. It is not uncommon for someone with dyscalculia to also experience dyslexia, ADHD, or difficulties with attention and working memory.

This overlap can make it harder to understand the reasons behind a person’s struggles with numbers. A professional assessment by a registered psychologist can take these difficulties into consideration and help provide a clearer understanding of what the person is experiencing.

Possible Signs of Dyscalculia in Children

Some children show early signs that may later be associated with dyscalculia, though these signs can vary widely and do not necessarily mean a learning disorder is present. Possible signs that may sometimes be observed include:

• Difficulty recognising numbers or understanding what they represent

• Trouble counting objects accurately or skipping numbers when counting

• Struggling to grasp basic maths concepts such as more than, less than, or grouping

• Difficulty remembering maths facts that other children may learn more easily

• Losing track of steps when working through a maths problem

• Avoiding tasks or games that involve numbers or counting

Signs on their own are not enough to make any conclusions. Many children experience some difficulty with maths at various stages of development without having dyscalculia. When these difficulties are persistent and affect a child's learning, it may be worth considering a formal assessment.

Possible Signs of Dyscalculia in Adults

Dyscalculia can continue into adulthood, and for many adults, it may not have been identified during their school years. Some possible signs that adults report include:

• Ongoing difficulty with maths or simple calculations

• Trouble estimating quantities or time

• Struggling to manage money, budgets, or bills accurately

• Difficulty remembering phone numbers, PIN codes, or other number sequences

• Getting confused by schedules, timetables, or reading analogue clocks

• Feeling persistent anxiety or avoiding tasks that involve numbers

As with children, these signs can vary from person to person and may overlap with other conditions. Noticing some of these patterns does not confirm dyscalculia. A proper assessment is needed to understand the reasons for these difficulties.

It is important not to rely on self-assessment or informal checklists to make conclusions about dyscalculia. These signs are included for general understanding, not as a basis for diagnosis. A psychologist can assess mathematical difficulties alongside other relevant factors and determine whether they are consistent with dyscalculia.

How Is Dyscalculia Diagnosed?

Dyscalculia is diagnosed through a comprehensive psychological and educational assessment, carried out by a registered psychologist with experience in specific learning disorders. This process typically involves a detailed clinical interview, standardised cognitive and academic testing, and a review of relevant background information.

The assessment looks at a person's difficulties with maths to understand how they process numerical information. This includes evaluating areas such as working memory, processing speed, and mathematical skills, alongside considering other conditions that commonly co-occur with dyscalculia. The result is a clearer, evidence-based understanding of whether dyscalculia is present and what support may be helpful.

When Should You Seek An Assessment?

An assessment may be worth considering when difficulties with numbers are ongoing and affecting daily functioning, schoolwork, or work performance. It may also be worth considering when these difficulties have not improved despite reasonable support or practice.

At Adelaide Clinical Psychology, our warm and understanding team provides comprehensive educational assessments for dyscalculia and other specific learning disorders. We take the time to understand each person's individual profile, looking at cognitive functioning, academic skills, and any overlapping conditions, to provide clarity and a clear path forward.

Taking the Next Step

Knowing how to find out if you have dyscalculia starts with a professional assessment, as self-diagnosis and online checklists cannot confirm the condition. If persistent difficulties with numbers are affecting your daily life, an educational assessment can help you understand what may be contributing to them and whether dyscalculia is a concern.

Book an assessment with Adelaide Clinical Psychology today and let our team guide you through the next steps.