Happy Neurodiversity Week!
This week is all about embracing and celebrating different ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world. As part of the celebration, we’re delighted to share this guest blog by Peter Cherry – Chair of the Adults with Dyscalculia Advisory Board for The Dyscalculia Network, shining a light on an often-overlooked neurodifference—dyscalculia.
In this blog, Peter explores what dyscalculia is, how it differs from maths anxiety, and how workplaces can better support individuals who experience it.
So, what is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a neurodifference, relating to processing and understanding numbers.
Research from the University of Loughborough and University College London (UCL) has shown that dyscalculia impacts approximately 6% of the population – that’s four million people in the UK or 44 full Wembley Stadiums!
Sadly, despite similar prevalence to dyslexia, it is an under-researched and little-known neurodifference.
It impacts an individual’s ability to understand, work with, and perform tasks involving numbers or mathematical concepts. Common strengths include strategic thinking, troubleshooting and creativity.
Dyscalculia can affect anyone regardless of age, background or intelligence.
Amelia Shipton, Actor, Mental Health Researcher, and Creative Practitioner with a focus on mental health, well-being, and inclusivity talks us through living with Dyscalculia in her video.
What is the difference between Dyscalculia and Math Anxiety?
Dyscalculia isn’t the same as ‘Maths anxiety’, but those with dyscalculia might find maths (and tasks associated with it) upsetting and at times frustrating.
‘Maths anxiety’ refers to feeling nervous or worried whenever you have to do anything mathematical – whether that’s do an exam, calculate a bill or check a budget. It can manifest in sweating, heightened heart beats, irritability and stress when you encounter maths, or it can appear in procrastinating or avoiding maths.
You don’t need to have dyscalculia to have maths anxiety but someone with dyscalculia will likely have maths anxiety. You can be a complete whizz at maths but still feel nervous when maths is around. Research by Steve Chinn has argued that a lot of this is due to the way maths is taught with spot tests and pressure to answer a maths question as fast as possible.
Dyscalculia in the Workplace.
While dyscalculia is often associated with academic challenges, its implications extend into professional environments, potentially causing difficulties in roles that demand numerical precision or time-sensitive calculations. It is essential for workplaces to recognise these challenges and provide appropriate accommodations and support to ensure employees with dyscalculia can contribute effectively.
Like Amelia says in her video, Dyscalculia affects working with numbers, money, graphs or maps to name a few. This is what she calls ‘dyscalculia tax’. It is important that your workplace supports you with maths in your job.
There is information on the Dyscalculia Network website for both employees and employers in our Adult and Workplace sections.
Workplace Strategies:
Line Manager Support – If you feel your work is affected by dyscalculia, the most useful thing you can do is to talk with your line manager or someone you trust in your workplace. It is really important for them to understand where you might be finding work challenging in order to support you. You can also refer them to the Dyscalculia Network’s webpage on workplace support.
Assistive Technology – Depending on the task, you may find assistive technology helpful in the form of calculators, e.g. DysCalculator (Desktop version) and maths software to assist with arithmetic tasks. Software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can automate calculations and reduce manual errors.
If budgeting is part of your job, you can use budgeting apps like Mint, financial management tools, and time-tracking software such as Toggl to help with organisational tasks.
What are some ways to support colleagues in the workplace?
Inclusive Recruitment – If you’re involved in recruitment processes, ensure these don’t discriminate against potential employees with dyscalculia. Ensure potential employees know what will be involved in the recruitment process and make sure job roles detail what maths skills will be required. Check that all recruitment processes are required for the job role e.g. is a generic maths test necessary?
Neurodiversity Awareness Training – Ensuring that there is awareness training for your staff so they can better understand dyscalculia and other forms of neurodivergence.
Policies – Implementing policies that support employees with learning disabilities, including Dyscalculia, and ensure they have access to necessary resources would also be of great help.
Flexible Working – If possible, offering flexible work hours or occasional remote work options can help reduce stress and allow for a more comfortable work environment.
Is there a link between Dyslexia and Dyscalculia?
Yes and no! Many people with dyscalculia have dyslexia. But many people with dyscalculia do not have dyslexia!
Some people with dyslexia may have difficulties with maths due to difficulties with recognising numbers and symbols, working memory issues, processing information or the language-based nature of some maths problems.
20% to 60% (twenty to sixty percent) of people with dyscalculia also have other neurodifferences, like, for example, ADHD, dyspraxia (DCD) or autism. We often say that dyscalculia can ‘come with a friend’.
Resources
Neurodiversity in the workplace is about recognising and valuing different ways of thinking—and that includes understanding the challenges and strengths which come with neurodifferences such as dyscalculia.
By raising awareness, providing support, and fostering inclusive practices, we can create environments where everyone can thrive. Whether it’s using assistive technology, rethinking recruitment processes, or simply opening up conversations, small changes can make a big difference.
If you’d like to learn more, check out the Dyscalculia Network’s resources.
If you’d like to book some Awareness Training check out our Neurodiversity and Disability Awareness Training page.
Let’s work together to build a more inclusive world—Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
Related readings
Employee Resource Groups: What They Are and Why They Matter
