Dyslexia and difficulties with numeracy and math

The Scottish working definition of dyslexia highlights that the associated difficulties can have an impact on some learners and their ability to develop their numeracy and math skills.

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Figure 8 Dyslexia and difficulties with numeracy and math
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This diagram highlights the impact of dyslexia on the dvelopment of numercay skills

Figure 8 Dyslexia and difficulties with numeracy and math

Download Dyslexia Scotland’s information leaflet on Ideas for Supporting Maths [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

Learners with numeracy difficulties may:

  • Struggle with the basic concept of numbers, e.g. recognising a group of four counters as "four" or equate the numeral ‘4’ with four concrete objects
  • Have difficulty with fundamental mathematical concepts, e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Have limited skills in estimation tasks or be able to sense whether their answer is correct or approximately correct
  • Have no devised strategies to compensate for lack of recall
  • Find it hard to lay out their work neatly, resulting in mistakes, e.g. in adding up a column of numbers
  • Struggle with mental arithmetic, possibly as a result of short-term and working memory issues
  • Display high levels of maths anxiety and deploy avoidance tactics

1.4 Numeracy development and the identification of dyslexia

Dyscalculia Definition