My child was just diagnosed with dyscalculia. Now what?
Here’s how to help your child with dyscalculia succeed in school and in life.
Expert reviewed by Bob Cunningham, EdM
If you recently found out that your child has dyscalculia, it may be the first time you’ve even heard of this math challenge. It’s important to know that there are ways to help kids with dyscalculia succeed.
Find out all you can about dyscalculia.
Learn about number sense and visual-spatial processing. Dyscalculia can also impact your child’s social life. Debunk common myths about dyscalculia. You can also explore expert answers to common questions parents have about math challenges and find out how signs of dyscalculia may look over time.
Investigate dyscalculia treatments and therapies.
Talk to your child’s doctor about treatment options. These may include , which can help kids who struggle with the language of math. It may also include educational therapy or , depending on your child’s specific needs. Ask any questions you have about other therapy options. And become familiar with the terms you might hear from teachers, doctors, and specialists.
Discuss dyscalculia supports and services with the school.
Schedule a meeting with the school and provide a copy of any reports from specialists or pediatricians. Even if the school has done its own evaluation, having an outside evaluation and recommendations can help with the or process. Discuss which informal supports or classroom accommodations might be appropriate. You can also ask about and tutors.
Teach your child to self-advocate.
Talk with your child about their learning differences. Discuss ways to ask for help for dyscalculia in grade school or middle school. Learning to self-advocate is a skill that can offer lifelong benefits.
Understand the possible emotional impact.
Kids with learning and thinking differences can have a higher risk for mental health challenges. Learn about the signs of anxiety and depression. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns.
Learn what you can do at home.
There are lots of fun ways to build in stress-free math practice after school and on weekends. Tap into your child’s interests and strengths. Explore ways to build self-esteem and help your child stay motivated.
Master homework help.
Create a homework space that works for your child. Learn about why your child may get tripped up on math assignments and discover ways to help with tricky math homework. If your child is in grade school, explore tips for learning multiplication.
Find support.
Contact your local Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) to learn about services near you.
Keep in touch with the school.
Ask questions about the school’s math instruction and about how your child is doing in class. Staying in contact with your child’s teachers will also help you know whether the supports and services are working.
