Dyscalculia

Mathematical learning difficulty, developmental dyscalculia, acalculia

What is dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a difficulty in understanding and processing numbers.

What causes dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia may be inherited from birth or it may be the result of a brain injury or stroke later in life.

What are the symptoms of dyscalculia?

Someone with dyscalculia may:

  • have trouble with calculations
  • struggle to remember arithmetic facts
  • find it hard to count

People can be affected by dyscalculia regardless of their age and education level. Dyscalculia often occurs alongside other learning difficulties, medical conditions and mathematics anxiety.

Are you affected by dyscalculia?

If you’re affected by dyscalculia, The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of the more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined, they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living with dyscalculia, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with dyscalculia from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

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Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone with dyscalculia

Those affected by dyscalculia may feel frustrated and experience anxiety related to mathematics. It is important to be patient with them and understand the difficulties they face. It can be beneficial to make mathematics less abstract by using objects to facilitate calculations.

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer for or relative of someone with dyscalculia? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including dyscalculia, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run an additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance. Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

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People who are neurodiverse and neurodivergent are a huge asset to society.
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Carer support from The Brain Charity in Liverpool Practical help

Support for carers

All The Brain Charity's services are free for carers and family members of people with neurological conditions too.
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Other resources

The Brain Charity's library

The library at the Brain Charity has a wide range of resources on disability-related issues.

Dyslexia And Mathematics

Support groups

Online emotional support (Scope)

www.scope.org.uk/family-services/navigate/

Support groups at The Brain Charity

Are you interested in setting up a dyscalculia support group, or do you already run one? Email activities@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Alternatively, you can check out our list of related support groups here.

Other charities

The British Dyslexia Association

Tel. 0333 405 4567
Website: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Scope

Helpline: 0808 800 3333
Website: www.scope.org.uk

Contact - charity for people with disabled children

www.contact.org.uk/conditions/