Symptom Tests

[Self-Test] Dyscalculia Symptoms in Children

Could your child’s difficulties in math be symptoms of dyscalculia — the learning disability that makes it challenging to process and understand math? Take the results of this free symptom test to your child’s school or a learning specialist to find out.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Medically reviewed by ADDitude’s ADHD Medical Review Panel Updated on January 21, 2023
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Dyscalculia Symptom Test for Children

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that impairs an individual’s ability to understand everyday math concepts, make sense of numbers, and memorize formulas. Dyscalculia looks different in everyone who has it — meaning one child may be unable to count to 10, while another can easily count to 100 but struggles with simple addition or subtraction.

Symptoms of dyscalculia show up in the classroom — and far beyond. They affect how your child will play with friends, set up a schedule, and even drive a car. Struggles with math are often easily dismissed — especially if your child seems to do okay in other subjects — but can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and missed opportunities if they’re not dealt with as early as possible.

Use this free dyscalculia symptom test to determine whether your child might be showing signs consistent with dyscalculia. Any positive results should be discussed with your child’s school or pediatrician.

 This dyscalculia symptom test is not intended to diagnose or to replace the care of an educational professional. Only a trained healthcare or education professional can make a diagnosis. This self-test is for personal use only.

Does your child get unnaturally upset or complain of feeling ill while completing math homework?

Does your child have difficulty writing numbers clearly or keeping his work neat when solving math problems?

Does your child struggle to read graphs or charts without help?

Does your child have difficulty telling time on an analog clock?

Does your child seem disinterested in keeping score or playing any game that involves math, however indirectly?

Does your child say numbers out of order — long after peers have mastered this skill?

Does your child not seem to understand the difference between adding and subtracting? Does she confuse the + and – symbols when completing math problems?

Does your child have trouble solving word problems or multi-step math problems? Does she struggle to articulate what strategies she’ll use along the way?

Does your child have difficulty applying fractions to real-world objects? Is she unable to determine that a dollar equals four quarters, for instance, or that one-half of the year is equal to six months?

Does your child get lost, even in familiar surroundings?

Does your child still count on his fingers past third grade?

Does your child struggle to connect the concept of numbers to real-world items? When you ask him how many cookies are left, for example, does he seem confused by the question or answer incorrectly?

Does your child not seem to understand the connection between the symbol “4” and the word “four?” Does he make mistakes when reading or following directions involving number words and symbols?

Does your child struggle to understand money, and have difficulty making change or sticking to a budget?

As a young child, did your child struggle to learn to count?

Does your child struggle to sort objects by shape, color, or size?

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Dyslexia in Children: Next Steps

1. Learn: What Dyscalculia Looks Like in Children
2. Take This Test: Dyslexia Symptoms in Children
3. Take This Test: Executive Function Deficits in Children
4. Take This Test: Could My Child Have a Learning Disability?
5. Learn: 18 Ways to Sharpen Your Child’s Math Skills
6. Find: Specialists or Clinics Near You