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What is numeracy?
If you have good numeracy skills you wi
ll be able to take part more easily in everyday life. You will also be able to get on in the workplace and in your school or college. If you have good numeracy skills you can:
- Decide what needs to be measured or calculated;
- Watch, and write down information in the right way;
- Make estimates and check calculations;
- Use maths in everyday situations. For example, you can plan a journey and work out how long it will take, what time you need to leave, what time you expect to arrive, and how much it will cost you.
What is involved in numeracy? 
- Understanding mathematical information:
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- You know how the number system works, and you understand what we mean by whole numbers, decimals, fractions and percentages;
- You know how to use money; you know how to tell the time and understand things like temperature, distance, area and volume;
- You can use maths language like ‘share’, ‘minus’ and ‘subtract’.
- You should be able to calculate and use numbers:
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- Adding up and taking away; multiplying and dividing;
- Algebra; equations and patterns.
- You should be able to use maths for day-to-day problems in your home, college or work life; for example, planning a journey, splitting a restaurant bill or cooking.
How does dyspraxia affect numeracy?
Everyone who has dyspraxia is unique. Remember that the difficulties you have may not be the same as someone else, and the strategies that they use may not suit you as well.
If you have dyspraxia it means that you are likely to have some difficulty with the skills needed for calculating and using numbers, and for using maths in everyday life. difficulties You may have difficulties with:
- Memorising, for example, multiplication tables;
- Learning or applying rules;
- Sequencing, for example, remembering the order in which things should be done;
- Copying from the board;
- Copying quickly and correctly;
- Handwriting;
- Self organisation and planning.
Self help
You should:
Agree adjustments with your tutor that will help you to join in to the best of your ability, for example:-
- Check what technology can be provided for you by the school or college, for example, speech recognition software;
- You may find it easier to work on a laptop rather than produce handwritten calculations;
- Buy a decent calculator or learn to use an app on your phone.
Click on
‘disclosure’ for more information about how and when you should tell someone about your disability.
Click on
‘personal organisation’ for more information about how to manage your time and resources.
What can my tutors do to help me?
Your tutors should:
Recognise that you understand maths concepts; it’s the calculation processes or mathematical language that you struggle with;- Teach you your ‘finger tables’;
- Recognise that you probably learn best by experiencing rather than being told what to do;
- Know that you learn best with use of colour, humour, stories, images, etc;
- Teach you how to use keyboard shortcuts if you have problems using the mouse;
- Show you how to customise your desk top and change the background colour, font etc... (See how to do this by clicking on the Accessibility button at the top of this page);
- If necessary, either provide a note taker who will write notes on your behalf, or allow you to record the sessions;
- Give a summary of the taught session or the Powerpoint presentation in advance (online or hard copy) or at the start of the session so that you can concentrate on listening and understanding rather than having to take notes;
- Make sure that they repeat the ‘rules’ for mathematical processes even when they have been taught before;
Show you the ‘big picture’ at the start of a new topic or session - you should have an overview of what will be covered in the session;- Break the teaching session up into chunks with pauses for ‘taking it in’ and time for questions;
- Give you lots of feedback to promote your understanding and develop your learning skills;
- Help you develop action planning and prioritising skills;
- Use mind maps and simplified diagrams not just text when teaching;
- Allow you to use a laptop and calculator for class and home work.
If you aren’t getting the help recommended here, print off a copy of these pages and use them as a starting point to have a chat with your tutor about what can be done to make sure you are able to get the most from their teaching.
Click on
‘confidentiality’ for information about how your tutor should treat your personal information.
Useful links
Dyspraxia Foundation
Famous dyscalculics (maths learning difficulties)
UK/09/LLP-LdV/TOI-163_285
