Dyscalculia and Dyslexia: Understanding Co-Occurring Learning Disabilities

When Reading AND Math Are a Struggle

Your child has dyslexia, and now you’re noticing math struggles too. Is this normal? Unfortunately, yes. 40-60% of children with dyslexia also have dyscalculia—a math-specific learning disability.

This comprehensive guide explains the connection, how to identify dyscalculia, and strategies that help with both conditions.

What is Dyscalculia?

Definition

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that affects math skills, number sense, and mathematical reasoning.

Core Difficulties

• Number sense: Understanding what numbers represent
• Subitizing: Instantly recognizing small quantities (most people can see 3 dots without counting; dyscalculic students must count)
• Math facts: Memorizing addition, subtraction, multiplication tables
• Procedures: Following multi-step calculations
• Word problems: Translating language to math operations
• Time: Reading analog clocks, understanding time concepts
• Money: Making change, calculating costs

Prevalence

• 5-7% of population has dyscalculia
• 40-60% of dyslexic children also have dyscalculia
• Often goes undiagnosed (overshadowed by reading struggles)

Why Do Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Co-Occur?

Shared Neural Pathways

Research shows overlapping brain regions involved in:

• Working memory: Holding information temporarily
• Processing speed: How quickly brain processes information
• Symbol processing: Letters (dyslexia) and numbers (dyscalculia) are both symbolic systems
• Sequence processing: Order of letters in words / order of steps in math

Common Genetic Factors

Twin studies show shared genetic components. If one identical twin has both conditions, the other twin has 60-70% likelihood of also having both.

Executive Function Challenges

Both conditions involve difficulties with:

• Working memory
• Attention
• Planning and organization
• Mental flexibility

Signs Your Child May Have Both

Dyslexia Signs (Reading)

• ❌ Slow, labored reading
• ❌ Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words
• ❌ Poor spelling
• ❌ Avoids reading aloud
• ❌ Confuses similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q)

Dyscalculia Signs (Math)

• ❌ Counts on fingers for simple calculations (past 2nd grade)
• ❌ Cannot memorize math facts despite practice
• ❌ Difficulty with word problems
• ❌ Can’t estimate answers (“Is 7 x 8 closer to 40 or 400?”)
• ❌ Struggles with time and money concepts
• ❌ Difficulty understanding fractions, decimals, percentages
• ❌ Makes computation errors with place value
• ❌ Loses track of multi-step problems

Overlapping Signs (Both)

• ⚠️ Confuses math symbols (+, -, ×, ÷) similar to letter confusion
• ⚠️ Difficulty sequencing (both in words and in math steps)
• ⚠️ Poor working memory affects both reading and calculation
• ⚠️ Slow processing speed in both academics
• ⚠️ Needs extra time on all tests

Getting a Diagnosis

Comprehensive Evaluation Should Include

1. Cognitive Assessment: IQ, working memory, processing speed
2. Achievement Tests: Reading AND math (many evaluations skip math if reading is the obvious concern)
3. Number Sense Assessment: Specific dyscalculia screeners
4. Executive Function Evaluation: Attention, organization, planning

Who Can Diagnose

• Educational psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• School psychologist (through IEP evaluation)

Important Note

Request math testing specifically. Many dyslexia evaluations focus only on reading. Say: “Please include comprehensive math assessment including number sense and dyscalculia screening.”

Strategies for Both Conditions

Multi-Sensory Instruction (Works for Both)

For Reading (Orton-Gillingham):

• See the letter (visual)
• Hear the sound (auditory)
• Trace/write the letter (kinesthetic)

For Math (Concrete-Representational-Abstract):

• Manipulatives (kinesthetic): Use blocks, counters
• Pictures (visual): Draw representations
• Symbols (abstract): Traditional numbers/equations

Visual Supports

Reading: Word walls, graphic organizers, story maps

Math: Number lines, hundreds charts, multiplication tables, formula charts

Breaking Down Complex Tasks

Reading: Chunk text, read in small sections with comprehension checks

Math: Break multi-step problems into individual steps, complete one at a time

Explicit Instruction

Reading: Teach phonics rules explicitly (“When two vowels go walking…”)

Math: Teach strategies explicitly (“To multiply by 9, use the finger trick…”)

Reduce Working Memory Load

Reading: Provide word lists, allow text-to-speech for complex passages

Math: Allow calculator for computation, provide formula sheets, use graph paper for alignment

Accommodations for Both

At School (IEP/504 Plan)

• ✅ Extended time: 1.5x or 2x on all tests
• ✅ Separate testing location: Reduces distractions
• ✅ Text-to-speech: For reading passages and word problems
• ✅ Calculator: For multi-step problems (focus on reasoning, not calculation)
• ✅ Graph paper: For math alignment
• ✅ Formula/fact sheets: Reduces memorization burden
• ✅ Reduced homework: Quality over quantity
• ✅ Alternative assessments: Oral responses, projects

At Home

• ✅ Technology: Audiobooks, math apps, voice-to-text
• ✅ Timers: Visual timers help with time management
• ✅ Manipulatives: Keep blocks, counters, play money available
• ✅ Real-world practice: Cooking (fractions), shopping (money), scheduling (time)

Technology That Helps Both

For Dyslexia

• EZRead.ai: AI-powered reading intervention with multi-sensory instruction
• Text-to-speech: Reads digital text aloud
• Speech-to-text: Writes while child talks
• Audiobooks: Provides access to grade-level content

For Dyscalculia

• Visual calculators: Show work step-by-step
• Math apps: Multi-sensory math practice
• Graphing tools: Help visualize math concepts
• Adaptive math programs: Adjust difficulty like EZRead.ai does for reading

For Both

• Organizational apps: Help with executive function challenges
• Voice recorders: Capture instructions/lectures
• Visual schedules: Support time management

Daily Life Skills Module

EZRead.ai includes a Daily Life Skills module that addresses both reading and math in functional contexts:

Real-World Practice

• Reading recipes + measuring (fractions)
• Reading price tags + calculating totals (money)
• Reading schedules + calculating time (time management)
• Reading directions + following sequences (multi-step processes)

Why This Matters

Many students with both conditions struggle with “hidden” impacts:

• Can’t make change at the store
• Can’t read analog clocks
• Can’t follow written directions for cooking
• Can’t calculate tips or discounts

Daily Life Skills module builds independence in real-world contexts.

The Emotional Impact

Unique Challenges

Children with both dyslexia and dyscalculia face:

• 😔 Double academic struggle: Both core subjects are difficult
• 😰 No “safe” subject: Can’t escape to math when reading is hard
• 😞 Compound self-esteem issues: “I’m bad at everything”
• 😤 Increased frustration: More daily academic challenges

Protective Factors

• ✅ Identify strengths: Art, music, sports, creativity, problem-solving
• ✅ Celebrate small wins: Progress, not perfection
• ✅ Provide breaks: Don’t do reading AND math in same session
• ✅ Find role models: Successful adults with both conditions
• ✅ Therapy if needed: Address anxiety, depression, low self-esteem

Success Stories

The Torres Family

“We spent two years focused on reading intervention before realizing Marco also had dyscalculia. Once we addressed both, everything improved.

We use EZRead.ai for reading (30 min daily) and a similar adaptive program for math (20 min daily). The key was making both feel like games, not more school.

Marco went from failing both subjects to grade level in reading and approaching grade level in math. More importantly, he stopped saying ‘I’m stupid.’“

— Carmen Torres, mother of 9-year-old with dyslexia + dyscalculia

Resources for Families

Organizations

• International Dyslexia Association (dyslexiaida.org)
• Dyscalculia.org (UK-based, excellent resources)
• National Center for Learning Disabilities (ncld.org)

Books

• “The Dyscalculia Toolkit” by Ronit Bird
• “Overcoming Dyslexia” by Sally Shaywitz (includes math section)
• “Understanding Dyscalculia” by Chinn and Ashcroft

Assessments

• Dyscalculia Screener (ages 6-14)
• KeyMath-3 (comprehensive math assessment)
• Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA-3)

Parent Action Plan

Step 1: Assess (Week 1)

1. Review the dyscalculia signs above
2. Track specific difficulties for one week
3. Gather school math work (look for patterns)

Step 2: Evaluate (Week 2-8)

4. Request comprehensive evaluation: “Please include math achievement testing and dyscalculia screening”
5. Evaluation should assess reading AND math

Step 3: Intervene (Week 9+)

6. For reading: Evidence-based intervention (EZRead.ai, Orton-Gillingham)
7. For math: Multi-sensory math instruction, adaptive programs
8. For both: Accommodations at school, supportive environment at home

Step 4: Support Whole Child (Ongoing)

9. Identify and nurture strengths
10. Address emotional needs
11. Advocate for appropriate accommodations
12. Celebrate progress in ALL areas

Having both dyslexia and dyscalculia is challenging, but with proper identification and evidence-based intervention, children can succeed in both reading and math.