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Dyscalculia and Money: Supporting Practical Maths Skills


Managing money is a vital life skill, but for individuals with dyscalculia, everyday tasks like budgeting, making change, or understanding prices can be challenging. Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty affecting number sense and maths skills, and it often impacts how a person processes and uses numbers in real-life situations, including money management.




Why Money Can Be Tricky with Dyscalculia

People with dyscalculia might struggle with:

  • Recognising coins and notes, especially if they are similar in size or colour

  • Understanding the value of different denominations

  • Calculating totals or making change when shopping

  • Estimating costs and budgeting over time

  • Understanding concepts like “discounts,” “interest,” or “tax”


These challenges can affect independence and confidence in everyday financial situations.



Practical Strategies to Support Money Skills

Here are some ways to help learners and adults with dyscalculia develop practical money skills:

  • Use real coins and notes to handle and familiarise with different values

  • Practice recognising money in small amounts before moving to larger sums

  • Break tasks into small steps, such as counting coins one at a time

  • Use visual aids like charts or apps that show coin values and totals

  • Role-play shopping scenarios to practise real-world money exchanges

  • Encourage use of calculators or money management apps for budgeting

  • Teach budgeting with simple categories (e.g., food, transport, fun) using jars or envelopes

  • Label prices clearly when shopping or budgeting to reduce confusion



Supporting Adults with Dyscalculia and Money

Money management challenges don’t end at school. Adults with dyscalculia might find banking, bills, or saving money stressful. Encouraging the use of:

  • Digital banking tools with alerts and reminders

  • Budgeting apps tailored for ease of use

  • Support from financial advisors familiar with learning differences

    can make a big difference in managing finances independently.



Why Early Support Matters

Helping children and young people build confidence and skills with money sets them up for greater independence as adults. Early intervention and consistent practice can reduce anxiety around money and improve daily living skills.

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