Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that relates to maths, it is not just struggling with maths or having anxiety around maths, it specifically refers to a lack of number sense, sometimes described as dyslexia for numbers! It is thought that around 6% of the population experience dyscalculia.

 

A 2001 Government Paper on dyscalculia described it as,

 

 'Dyscalculia is a condition that affects the ability to acquire mathematical skills. Dyscalculic learners may have a difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures Even if they produce a correct answer or use a correct method, they may do so mechanically and without confidence.'

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It is possible to have dyscalculia and dyscalculia. 

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Key difficulties with dyscalculia include;

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•  Being over reliant on counting in ones.

• Struggling to count backwards.

• Poor sense of number and being unable to estimate

• .Forgetting maths formula

• Struggling to recall basic number facts.

• Limited understanding of place value

• Taking a long time to process and complete single maths calculations.

• Avoiding tasks that have a mathematical component.​

More information can be found at, http://www.dyscalculiaassociation.uk/