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Signs of Dyscalculia in Adults: Challenges, Solutions and Support

Many adults with dyscalculia go unidentified and have not been screened for dyscalculia, leading to compounded challenges over time. Dyscalculia in adults affects their ability to manage maths and has a significant socio-emotional impact. However, identifying dyscalculia can be the first step toward improving skills and reducing anxiety.

What is Dyscalculia in Adults?

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty that affects a person’s ability to understand and work with numbers. Unlike maths anxiety, dyscalculia is a persistent challenge that influences daily tasks involving maths, creates anxiety and professional growth at work, and can knock confidence.

Common Dyscalculia Challenges at Work and Home

Adults with dyscalculia often experience difficulties in various aspects of life, including:

  • Managing monetary tasks like budgeting or paying bills.
  • Estimating time required for tasks or meetings.
  • Planning and organising schedules effectively.
  • Navigating directions and distances.
  • Keeping track of personal and professional finances.
  • Troubleshooting technical or numerical problems.
  • Using formulas or codes in work-related tasks.
  • Taking longer to process information compared to peers.
  • Prioritising activities and meeting deadlines.
  • Feeling self-conscious about numerical struggles.
  • Experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety.
  • Facing barriers to career advancement in math-intensive jobs.

If these challenges sound familiar, it might be time to test if you are at risk of dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia and Its Emotional Impact

Dyscalculia isn’t just about struggling with numbers. Adults often experience socio-emotional symptoms, including stress, anxiety, and self-doubt, that stem from their difficulties. By addressing dyscalculia early, you can open doors to personal growth, skill development, and enhanced confidence. Learn more about the impact of dyscalculia on daily living and its social and emotional impact.

First Step to Understanding Dyscalculia

At Dynamo Post-16, we understand that no individual with dyscalculia should go unnoticed. That’s why we offer the Dyscalculia Self-Perception Questionnaire – a research-backed screener designed to evaluate your experiences with maths. Dynamo Post-16 will help you assess your maths challenges and clarify areas where support may be needed. These are steps to overcome stress and anxiety with dyscalculia.

Take Action Today – Screen for Dyscalculia

Identifying dyscalculia can be life-changing. Whether you’re managing workplace tasks, handling finances, or planning your daily life, understanding your unique challenges is the first step to finding effective solutions. Our tools and resources are designed to help you gain clarity and build confidence in your abilities. Begin your journey today with the research-backed tool Dyscalculia Self-Perception Questionnaire and access the support you need to succeed.

References:

  1. Vigna, G., Ghidoni, E., Burgio, F., Danesin, L., Angelini, D., Benavides-Varela, S., & Semenza, C. (2022). Dyscalculia in Early Adulthood: Implications for Numerical Activities of Daily Living. Brain Sciences, 12(3), 373. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030373
  2. Wilson, A. J., Andrewes, S. G., Struthers, H., Rowe, V. M., Bogdanovic, R., & Waldie, K. E. (2015). Dyscalculia and dyslexia in adults: Cognitive bases of comorbidity. Learning and Individual Differences, 37, 118–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2014.11.017

I am Karima Esmail, Co-founder of Dynamo Maths, an award-winning, research and evidence-based inclusive programme proven to support students with dyscalculia and those not meeting age-related expectations.

I have 15 years of experience as a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire. More recently, I undertook research at University College London, which inspired the creation of Puffin Maths for the deaf and hard of hearing, which now provides access to the National Curriculum using British Sign Language (BSL). Puffin Maths was ‘Highly Commended’ at BETT 2022.

I have also co-authored Dynamo Post 14 Number Sense Profiler and Dyscalculia Self Perception Indicators Questionnaire.