Dyscalculia Awareness Day

Imagine stepping into a world where numbers don’t make sense. Where time, money, measurements, and even simple calculations feel like an unsolvable puzzle - every single day. That’s the reality for people with dyscalculia, a learning difference that affects 6% of the population but remains largely misunderstood.

It’s Dyscalculia Awareness Day on 3rd March and this week’s newsletter is all about what it means for people. Oh, and 3rd March is also my birthday so two very important reasons to celebrate!

This week’s newsletter includes:

• Info: What is dyscalculia? Including a brilliant simulation exercise!

• Tips: How to support people with dyscalculia

• Recommendations: 3 recommended resources for more information

1. What is dyscalculia?

Even if they don’t fully understand it, most people have at least heard of dyslexia. But dyscalculia? Many don’t even know it exists. That’s why dyscalculia awareness is so important : It’s a chance to shine a light on those struggling in silence, dismissed as "bad at maths" or "not trying hard enough." But dyscalculia isn’t about intelligence - it’s about how the brain processes numbers. And if we don’t talk about it, countless people will continue to be misunderstood, unsupported, and left behind.

Dyscalculia is often crudely called “dyslexia for numbers,” but that barely scratches the surface. It’s a lifelong condition that makes understanding numerical concepts incredibly difficult. People with dyscalculia might:

🔹 Struggle to tell time or remember sequences like phone numbers or PIN codes.
🔹 Find it hard to judge distances, prices, or how much change they should get.
🔹 Experience extreme maths anxiety from past struggles and lack of support.
🔹 Have difficulty spotting patterns or estimating quantities - things many take for granted.

And yet, because so few people recognise it, those with dyscalculia are often left to navigate a world built on numbers without the right tools or support.

If you’ve ever wondered what dyscalculia feels like, try this simulation and experience it for yourself. It’s incredibly powerful and also shows how small changes can make a big difference to people.

2. How to support people with dyscalculia

We can all make a difference with simple changes - some of which you will have seen if you did the simulation exercise.

✅ Use clear, consistent formatting – Cluttered number layouts can be overwhelming. Keep it simple.
✅ Offer visual alternatives – Charts, diagrams, and real-world examples help make sense of numbers.
✅ Allow extra time for numerical tasks – Processing numbers takes longer for some people. Be patient.
✅ Encourage assistive tools – Apps, calculators, and even verbal explanations can make a world of difference.
✅ Challenge misconceptions – Dyscalculia isn’t about laziness. It’s a real, neurological difference that needs understanding, not judgment.

3. Recommendations

To learn more, check out these recommended resources.

📖 Accessible Numbers – A must-visit for practical strategies to make numbers more accessible.
🎥 Our Differing Minds dyscalculia explainer video – watch and share this short video we made on ‘What is Dyscalculia?’ to get a quick, powerful overview.
📅 Dyscalculia Awareness Day – Learn more and get involved.

Dyscalculia isn’t just a “school maths problem.” It affects jobs, money, time management, and confidence. By raising awareness, making small adjustments, and talking about it, we can stop people from being left behind simply because the world isn’t built for them.

So, whether you have dyscalculia, know someone who does, or just want to make the world a little fairer - this is a topic worth sharing. And if you needed a reason to celebrate Dyscalculia Awareness Day, well… it’s my birthday too! 🎂

Speak soon,

Jess

PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:

• To book a neurodiversity talk, head here. I’m booking now for Neurodiversity Celebration Week - w/c 17th March - get in touch to avoid disappointment.

• Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.

• Join the waitlist for our next NeuroNavigator programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion.