Dyscalculia in Adults - Checklist
Dyscalculia is not only for kids - once upon a time - we were children too and unfortunately, dyscalculia never goes away.
Adults suffer from maths-related issues which were never picked up at school. Even now, very few schools diagnose kids with dyscalculia.
“I thought I was stupid because I couldn’t remember my times’ tables or dividing or know my left from right.” The area of your brain that remembers basic maths facts (in the way you were taught) is simply under-developed. Learning visually or using different memory aids will help you remember.
Other areas of your brain compensated and grew larger. This is great news in some respects but not good for maths. Dyscalculia in adults is very common, and if you are Dyslexic, 40 - 60 % of Dyslexic adults also have Dyscalculia.
Sites like Fables World can help you remember your times’ tables and dividing easily and help you to tell the time. If you have your basic maths facts down - you will find other maths will fall into place. Once you start talking to others, you will discover that Dyscalculia in adults is more common than you think. You are not alone.
Does any of the below sound familiar?
Buying your morning coffee and pastry can be a nerve-racking experience (if you only have cash). “Do I have enough money?”
Working out tips in restaurants, splitting bills, paying the babysitter, tax and percentages take up a huge amount of energy and time.
“Why do I always need my phone or sat nav to get to my friends’ house even though I’ve been there hundreds of time before?” Remembering directions are not your forte.
You can be born with Dyscalculia. Correct. “Thanks, Mum and Dad, for not only massive ears but dyscalculia as well!” An area of your brain was never fully developed but even into old age; you can change, develop and mould your brain. This is called Neuroplasticity. So never give up learning.
“Can you have dyscalculia as a result of a brain injury or stroke?” Yes, you can. However, it’s thought other areas of the brain can help compensate.
“I’m actually really good at some maths but rubbish at the basics. What’s that about?” Different areas of the brain control different functions.
DIY or following recipes has always been a nightmare. “Instructions don’t seem to work for my brain. However, if I watch something on Youtube or someone shows me, I get it faster than other people - thank goodness for Youtube!”
“Why am I always late or miss appointments?” Again, thank goodness for technology. If you use your calendar on your phone or computer and set alarms and then LISTEN to the alarm when it tells you to get going - then this will massively help you out.
You can’t remember anyone's names; it's so embarrassing. Even if you’ve known them for years and been told their name repeatedly, you can still get it wrong. However, you will be able to remember everything else about them!
You can drive too fast or too slow or vastly misjudge how long it takes to drive somewhere. “Whoops, late again!”
You may lose items (keys, wallets, phones etc.) around the house FREQUENTLY. Aargh, So annoying! Technology once again can be your friend. There are devices you can put on keys where you can call your phone from your keys and your keys from your phone. In fact, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from putting one of these devices on anything you might often lose - like your head!
Any facts to do with numbers can be VERY hard to remember, birthdays, anniversaries etc. However, best not to use that as an excuse why you forgot; it won’t go down well!
Writing down or remembering telephone numbers can be very tricky; you need people to say them slowly before you can process them.
Disaster on the dance floor! You are probably fine freestyling but remembering dance steps, forget it. That’s near impossible.
Can be slow to tell the time on an analogue clock or still use fingers to work out 20:00hrs.
Dyscalculia in adults is under-researched and probably about 30 years behind Dyslexia research. Researchers also suspect Dyscalculia in adults could be as common as Dyslexia in adults.
Don’t let Dyscalculia in adult life stop you from achieving your goals - there is help right here!
Has anyone told you that you’re likely to have superhero talents in other areas! While the maths area of your brain wasn’t developing as well as it should have, other areas of your brain were over developing. This means you could possess untapped amazing talents. Whoever said Dyscalculia in adults was a bad thing might have to think again.
If you would like a free coaching session with me - email me directly marni@dyscalculia.me, and I can help you sort through any new emotions you may have about your discovery and help you eliminate maths anxiety once and for all!