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Many myths surround dyscalculia that cause delays in ensuring children receive the right support. Here are the 5 myths about dyscalculia you may have heard.

Myth 1: Dyscalculia is just being bad at maths

Fact: Dyscalculia, like dyslexia and dysgraphia, is classified as a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in mathematics in DSM-V. While it changes how the brain understands numbers and number facts, with the right tools and support, children with dyscalculia can learn how to be confident in maths.  

Myth 2: Dyscalculia only matters in maths lessons

Fact: Difficulties with dyscalculia do not end when a child leaves the classroom. Numbers are everywhere, so those who struggle with dyscalculia will find they will have difficulties with everyday tasks such as reading the time and using money. 

Myth 3: Dyscalculia is rare

Fact: Statistics reveal that 6% of people have Dyscalculia, and 60% of individuals with dyslexia will have difficulties with maths.

Myth 4: If a child struggles with maths, they have dyscalculia 

Fact: Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty that changes how the brain understands numbers and number facts; this is not the same as a child finding maths difficult. A child can struggle with maths for many reasons, including a lack of interest in the subject, maths anxiety, or lessons being taught at a pace that is hard for the child to catch up with. 

Most children with dyscalculia have specific difficulties, such as number sense and memorising numerical facts. 

“Early number sense is the foundation of mathematical confidence. When children truly understand numbers — how they work and why they matter — they move beyond memorising facts and begin to reason, solve problems, and think flexibly.

Strong number sense in the early years builds not only calculation skills, but confident, capable problem-solvers and lifelong mathematical thinkers”

Rob Jennings – Co-founder of The Dyscalculia Network and Co-author of The Maths and Dyscalculia Assessment 

Myth 5: Children with dyscalculia just need to be taught how to memorise number facts

Fact: While children with dyscalculia do struggle with number facts, memorisation alone does not help with the other difficulties they face, such as remembering facts, reasoning about quantities, and interpreting number representations. 

Using targeted interventions and providing support to individuals with dyscalculia is the best approach. 

Want to learn more about dyscalculia? Read our article to learn the definition of dyscalculia and more about number sense.  

Sources: 

British Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). How can I identify dyscalculia? https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyscalculia/how-can-i-identify-dyscalculia​

Centre for Educational Neuroscience. (2023, September 22). Finding numbers hard? Facts and myths about dyscalculia. https://www.educationalneuroscience.org.uk/2023/09/22/finding-numbers-hard-facts-and-myths-about-dyscalculia/​

Dyscalculia Network. (n.d.). What is dyscalculia?  https://dyscalculianetwork.com/what-is-dyscalculia/​