Signs of Dyscalculia in Kids
- Hammond Bell Educational Services, LLC
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
When Math Just Doesn’t Make Sense
As an educator and a parent, I feel confident saying that it's completely normal for kids to struggle with math at times. However, if your child frequently mixes up numbers, has trouble remembering basic math facts despite regular practice, or finds concepts like place value especially confusing, these challenges could be signs of dyscalculia, a learning difference that affects how the brain processes numbers. Dyscalculia impacts how the brain interprets and works with numbers, and recognizing it early allows for targeted support that can build confidence and success in math.
Just as dyslexia makes reading and spelling difficult, dyscalculia impacts a child’s ability to understand and work with numbers. Without targeted support, these foundational gaps can make higher-level math increasingly frustrating. But with the right support—like multisensory math instruction and the CRA model—kids can build stronger number sense and confidence to be successful in math.
What Are the Signs of Dyscalculia in Kids?
If your child is struggling with math, you might notice:
Trouble recognizing numbers– Your child may not associate the numeral "5" with a group of five objects or may struggle to understand that numbers represent quantities.
Difficulty counting objects correctly– (and keeping track when counting out loud). They may skip numbers, count the same object twice, or struggle with one-to-one correspondence (matching numbers to objects).
Struggling to understand place value – They might confuse numbers like 21 and 12, not grasp the difference between 300 and 30, or have trouble recognizing that 402 is different from 42.
Taking a long time to recall basic math facts– Even after repeated drills and lots of practice, math facts like 3+4 or 7×5 might not stick, making problem-solving slow and frustrating.
Trouble with simple addition and subtraction – (Especially without using fingers to count). While young children often use their fingers to count, older kids with dyscalculia may still rely on counting out basic facts rather than recalling them automatically.
Difficulty recognizing patterns or sequences in numbers – They may not see the logic in number sequences (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8) or struggle with skip counting.
Challenges with time concepts and reading clocks – Telling time on an analog clock, understanding elapsed time, or estimating how long something will take can be particularly tricky.
Difficulty with word problems – (or applying math to real-world situations) They may struggle to translate written problems into numbers or understand how math applies to daily life, such as handling money or measuring ingredients.
Struggles with spatial reasoning in math – Geometry, estimating distances, and understanding directions (left vs. right, up vs. down) may be particularly confusing.
Frequent math-related anxiety or frustration – They may avoid math homework, feel overwhelmed when faced with numbers, or express negative feelings like “I’m just bad at math.”
If these signs sound familiar, it’s not because your child isn’t trying hard enough. Their brain simply processes numbers differently and needs a more tailored, multisensory approach to learning math! The signs of dyscalculia in kids varies based on the student and will be different for every learner.
Why Traditional Math Instruction Doesn’t Always Work
Most math programs rely heavily on memorization—math facts, formulas, and rules. While this approach may work for some students, it often falls short for those who struggle with math. Think back to your own math education—if you're like me, much of what you learned was presented in an abstract way. For example, I remember being taught fractions, but I never truly understood what they meant or why the rules worked the way they did. Even without that deeper understanding, I was still able to get by.
But for students with dyscalculia—or any child struggling with foundational math—memorization alone isn’t enough. If they don’t have a solid grasp of what numbers actually represent, they can’t apply their knowledge flexibly or build on it effectively.
That’s why multisensory math instruction, much like the Orton-Gillingham approach for reading, can make a huge difference. By using hands-on, visual, and interactive methods, we help students truly understand math concepts rather than just recalling facts. In the next section, we’ll explore the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) approach and why it’s so effective.
How the CRA Model Helps Kids With Dyscalculia
The CRA Model (Concrete-Representational-Abstract) is a research-backed way of teaching math that helps students see and understand numbers before moving to symbols and equations. It works like this:
🔴 Concrete – Using physical objects like counters, blocks, or place value charts to build understanding
🟡 Representational – Moving to pictures, number lines, and drawings to represent numbers
🟢 Abstract – Finally, using numbers and equations once the foundation is solid
For example, if a child is learning place value, they wouldn’t just see "35" written on a worksheet. Instead, they’d first build 35 with base-ten blocks, draw what it looks like in a place value chart, and only then start working with the numbers themselves.
This hands-on, multisensory approach makes math meaningful rather than just a list of rules to memorize.
Closing Foundational Gaps With Multisensory Math
Many kids with dyscalculia have gaps in their early math skills that make everything else feel harder. If they never fully understood numbers, patterns, or place value, then addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division will always feel confusing.
Multisensory math tutoring focuses on identifying those gaps and going back to fill them using the CRA model and step-by-step instruction. It’s the same way Orton-Gillingham helps struggling readers—by making learning structured, engaging, and designed for the way each child processes information.
What to Do If You Think Your Child Has Dyscalculia
If your child is showing signs of dyscalculia, the best thing you can do is:
Trust what you’re seeing. If your child has persistent math struggles, they may need a different approach.
Look for a math program that builds understanding—not just memorization.
Consider multisensory math tutoring to strengthen number sense, place value, and foundational math skills.
With the right approach, every child can become a confident math learner. If you’re interested in multisensory math tutoring for your child, reach out to learn more or schedule a free demo lesson.
