Dyscalculia/Maths related difficulties
Dyscalculia is a condition that affects the person’s ability to understand and acquire and have confidence with mathematical skills. Individuals may also present with difficulties organising and planning.
Strengths
- Communicator
- Persistent
- Creative
- Practical
Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave:
Individuals with Dyscalculia may present with difficulties managing money, telling the time and taking measurements. These difficulties may impact on an individual’s organisation and planning abilities.
Common challenges described are:
- Difficulty with Pin codes and passwords
- Difficulty estimating time taken to complete tasks
- Difficulty doing ‘mental’ calculations e.g. working out change in a shop
- Difficulty estimating size e.g. how much material to use, quantities required
- Difficulties working out bills, paying for items at a till, checking change is correct
Support in the workplace by the employer
- Ask the person what works for them and what makes things harder for them
- Arrange regular short meetings to check on priorities and progress- this reduces anxiety levels for the employee that they can see they are on task and helps to gain confidence.
- Discuss what adjustments does the person think they may need or has helped them before.
- Allow use of calculator
- Create a template or show how to use software to record expenses.
- Provide information in a visual format where possible
- Discuss if they need help with time management and time allocation
- Discuss setting up direct debits for their wages in order to limit the need for calculating and online banking.
Getting the best for yourself- employee
- Consider what adjustments you need so you can discuss this with your employer
- Translate pin codes into letters and then words so this can help to remember them e.g. 1=A; 2=B
- Use a password protected system to store your pin codes and passwords so you are not trying to remember them all
- Use a calculator on your phone or computer
- Set up direct debits to limit the need for calculating and paying for bills
- Ask for expense sheet templates with pre-set formulas if you need to complete these or an example of what is expected
- If taking down telephone numbers on the phone break them into chunks and then check it back with the person for accuracy