What Parents Often Notice

You might see:
  • Difficulty recognising or remembering numbers
  • Trouble counting or understanding quantity
  • Struggling with basic maths facts (e.g. addition, subtraction)
  • Difficulty solving word problems
  • Taking much longer than peers to complete maths tasks
  • Avoiding maths homework
  • Becoming frustrated or anxious with maths
Is This Normal or Something More?

It’s common for children to find some aspects of maths challenging.

​However, it may be worth exploring further if:
  • Difficulties persist over time
  • Your child is falling behind at school
  • Maths tasks cause significant frustration or anxiety
  • Progress remains slow despite practice

In some cases, ongoing maths challenges may be linked to a learning difficulty such as dyscalculia.
Common Reasons Children Struggle with Maths

1. Understanding Number Concepts
​Some children find it difficult to grasp:
  • Quantity (what numbers represent)
  • Number relationships
  • Patterns and sequences

2. Memory and Processing Difficulties
Maths relies on:
  • Remembering steps
  • Holding information in mind (working memory)
  • Processing information quickly

3. Dyscalculia (Specific Learning Disorder in Maths)
Dyscalculia affects how a child understands and works with numbers.
Children may:
  • Struggle with basic calculations
  • Find it hard to understand number relationships
  • Avoid maths tasks
4. Language Difficulties
Maths often involves understanding instructions and word problems.
Some children may struggle with:
  • Interpreting questions
  • Understanding mathematical language

5. Attention and Concentration
Maths tasks often require sustained focus and step-by-step thinking.

6. Maths Anxiety and Confidence
​If maths feels difficult, children may:
  • Avoid tasks
  • Become anxious
  • Lose confidence
This can make learning even harder over time.
Signs Your Child May Need Extra Support

It may be helpful to explore support if your child:
  • Has ongoing difficulty understanding numbers
  • Struggles with basic maths concepts
  • Avoids maths tasks regularly
  • Becomes upset or anxious about maths
  • Is falling behind at school
What To Do Next (Step-by-Step)

​1. Speak with Your Child’s Teacher
  • Understand how your child is progressing
  • Ask about specific areas of difficulty

2. Observe at Home
  • What types of maths tasks are most difficult?
  • Is it understanding, remembering, or applying concepts?

3. Support Maths in Everyday Activities
  • Use real-life examples (e.g. shopping, cooking)
  • Keep learning practical and engaging

4. Monitor Progress
  • Are skills improving over time?
  • Are the same challenges continuing?

5. Consider Professional Support
Allied health professionals can help identify underlying challenges and provide targeted strategies.

6. Consider an Assessment
​An assessment can:
  • Identify learning difficulties
  • Clarify whether dyscalculia or other challenges may be present
  • Guide appropriate supports
How We Can Support Your Child

Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Supporting attention and task engagement
  • Visual processing and organisation
  • Functional participation in school tasks

Speech Pathology (SP)
  • Understanding maths language
  • Supporting comprehension of instructions
  • Breaking down word problems

Psychology Assessments
  • Cognitive and academic assessments
  • Identification of learning disorders
  • Reports to guide school supports

Counselling Support
  • Managing maths anxiety
  • Supporting confidence
  • Reducing frustration around learning

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
  • Understanding avoidance behaviours
  • Supporting engagement in maths tasks
  • Practical strategies for home and school
​
School & Parent Support
  • Practical maths strategies
  • Collaboration with teachers
  • Supporting consistent routines

Telehealth Across WA
  • Flexible support options
  • Access services regardless of location
When to Seek Help
​
It may be helpful to seek support if:
  • Maths difficulties are ongoing
  • Your child is becoming anxious or avoiding tasks
  • Progress is slower than expected
Not Sure?
​
If you’re unsure what’s causing your child’s maths difficulties, we can help guide you through the next steps.
Contact us to get started
Ask about maths support or assessments
Access services across Perth, Mandurah, and WA
​Book a free 20-minute call with our team

Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

Have a question? or need more information

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Frequently Asked Questions - Why Is My Child Struggling With Maths?

Is it normal for children to struggle with maths?
Yes.
Many children find some aspects of maths challenging at different stages of learning.
However, if maths difficulties are persistent, significantly impact school participation, or continue despite support and practice, further assessment may be helpful.

Why is my child struggling with maths?
There can be many reasons why a child struggles with maths.
Possible contributing factors include:
  • Dyscalculia
  • ADHD
  • Learning difficulties
  • Working memory difficulties
  • Anxiety
  • Executive functioning challenges
  • Developmental delays
  • Language difficulties
  • Gaps in foundational maths skills
Assessment can help identify the factors contributing to a child's challenges.

What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a Specific Learning Disorder that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers.
Children with dyscalculia may experience difficulties with:
  • Number recognition
  • Counting
  • Number concepts
  • Maths facts
  • Time
  • Money
  • Mathematical problem solving
Dyscalculia is sometimes described as the maths equivalent of dyslexia.

What are some signs of dyscalculia?
Signs may include:
  • Difficulty recognising numbers
  • Problems learning basic maths facts
  • Difficulty understanding quantity
  • Trouble telling time
  • Challenges using money
  • Difficulty remembering maths procedures
  • Ongoing struggles despite practice and teaching
Every child presents differently.

At what age can dyscalculia be identified?
Signs may become noticeable during the early primary school years when children begin learning number concepts and mathematical operations.
However, concerns can emerge earlier or later depending on the child and learning demands.

Can ADHD affect maths skills?
Yes.
Children with ADHD may experience difficulties with:
  • Sustaining attention
  • Following multi-step maths problems
  • Working memory
  • Organisation
  • Completing tasks
  • Learning maths procedures
These challenges can impact maths performance even when a child understands mathematical concepts.

Do children with ADHD commonly struggle with maths?
Some children with ADHD experience difficulties with maths due to executive functioning differences.
This may affect:
  • Mental calculations
  • Following instructions
  • Completing work accurately
  • Organising information
  • Remembering maths facts
Not all children with ADHD experience maths difficulties.

Can maths difficulties be caused by anxiety?
Yes.
Maths anxiety can significantly affect performance.
Children experiencing anxiety may:
  • Avoid maths tasks
  • Freeze during tests
  • Lose confidence
  • Struggle to demonstrate skills they already know
Addressing anxiety can sometimes improve participation and learning outcomes.

What is maths anxiety?
Maths anxiety refers to feelings of worry, stress, or fear related to maths activities.
It can affect:
  • Confidence
  • Concentration
  • Performance
  • School participation
Maths anxiety can occur with or without a learning difficulty.

Can developmental delays affect maths skills?
Yes.
Developmental delays can affect learning in many areas, including:
  • Number concepts
  • Problem solving
  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Language
  • School participation
Understanding the child's overall developmental profile can help guide support.

Can language difficulties affect maths?
Yes.
Many maths tasks require children to understand language-based instructions and mathematical vocabulary.
Language difficulties can sometimes affect maths performance, particularly when solving word problems.

Can working memory affect maths?
Absolutely.
Working memory plays an important role in:
  • Mental calculations
  • Following multi-step instructions
  • Remembering procedures
  • Solving problems
Working memory difficulties can significantly impact maths learning.

What are some red flags that a child may need further assessment?
You may wish to consider assessment if your child:
  • Falls significantly behind peers in maths
  • Struggles to understand basic number concepts
  • Has difficulty learning maths facts
  • Experiences ongoing frustration
  • Avoids maths activities
  • Continues to struggle despite support and practice
Assessment can help identify strengths and support needs.

How can I help my child at home if they are struggling with maths?
Helpful strategies may include:
  • Using real-life maths activities
  • Playing number-based games
  • Practising maths in short sessions
  • Using visual supports
  • Breaking tasks into smaller steps
  • Celebrating effort and progress
Strategies should be tailored to the child's needs.

What assessments can help identify maths difficulties?
Assessment may involve:
  • Educational assessments
  • Psychology assessments
  • Learning assessments
  • Occupational Therapy assessments
  • Speech Pathology assessments where language difficulties are present
The most appropriate assessment depends on the child's presentation.

Who can diagnose dyscalculia?
Specific Learning Disorders, including Dyscalculia, are typically diagnosed through comprehensive assessment by appropriately qualified professionals such as psychologists.
Assessment helps determine whether a child meets diagnostic criteria.

Is dyscalculia a lifelong condition?
Dyscalculia is generally considered a lifelong learning difference.
However, with appropriate supports, accommodations, and strategies, many individuals successfully develop skills that support learning, participation, and independence.

Does dyscalculia mean my child is not intelligent?
No.
Children with dyscalculia can have average, above-average, or highly gifted intellectual abilities.
Dyscalculia affects mathematical learning, not intelligence.

Can children improve their maths skills?
Yes.
Many children make meaningful progress when supports target the underlying factors contributing to difficulties.
Support may focus on:
  • Number concepts
  • Learning strategies
  • Executive functioning
  • Confidence
  • Working memory
  • School accommodations

What happens if my child is assessed and does not have dyscalculia?
Assessment can still provide valuable information.
The process may identify:
  • ADHD
  • Learning difficulties
  • Working memory challenges
  • Anxiety
  • Developmental delays
  • Language difficulties
  • Executive functioning differences
This information can help guide future supports and intervention planning.

Does Belong Health provide support for children experiencing maths difficulties?
Yes.
Belong Health provides a range of services that may support children experiencing maths difficulties, including:
  • Psychology Assessments
  • Learning Assessments
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Pathology (where language difficulties are present)
  • Positive Behaviour Support (where emotional regulation or behavioural challenges impact learning)
  • Developmental support services
Our team can help families identify appropriate assessment and support pathways.
Related Resources

​If your child is struggling with writing, you may also find these resources helpful:
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