Dyscalculia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) defined in 2025 as a set of processing difficulties that affects the acquisition or arithmetic and other areas of mathematics. It often co-occurs with maths anxiety.
Key indicators are pronounced and persistent difficulties with numerical magnitude processing and understanding. This presents as difficulties with naming, ordering and comparing physical quantities of numbers, estimating and place value. Sometimes other debilitating processing difficulties impact on acquisition of mathematics. Examples include language, executive functions (verbal and visuo-spatial working memory and inhibitory control) and visual-spatial processing. This would be a SpLD in mathematics but not dyscalculia.
Co-occurrence is frequently seen with other SpLD’s such as dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
In the UK, it is estimated that approximately 6% of the population, around 4 million people, are affected by dyscalculia (Dyscalculia Network, The Dyslexia Guild) Despite its prevalence, dyscalculia remains underdiagnosed in comparison with dyslexia, partly due to a lack of awareness and resources (Kalmer Counselling).
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) recommend that a formal diagnostic assessment should only be carried out by an assessor holding a level 7 qualification in the assessment of dyscalculia and has AMBDA dyscalculia. The BDA do not consider level 7 qualification in the assessment of dyslexia to be sufficient in the diagnosis or assessment of dyscalculia.
What We Offer
- Observation
- Learning assessments
- We do not currently diagnoses dyscalculia but we can assess the underlying areas impacting on the acquisition of mathematical knowledge and skills
FOCUSS 