Important to Know

This checklist is not a diagnosis.
Many children find aspects of maths challenging. However, if you notice:
  • Multiple signs
  • Ongoing difficulties
  • Increasing frustration or anxiety​

…it may be helpful to explore support further.
Early Years (Ages 4-6)

Number Awareness
☐ Difficulty learning to count
☐ Trouble recognising numbers
☐ Difficulty understanding “more” or “less”
☐ Trouble matching numbers to quantities

Early Thinking Skills
☐ Difficulty sorting or grouping objects
☐ Trouble recognising patterns
☐ Difficulty understanding sequences

Behaviour & Engagement
☐ Avoids activities involving numbers
☐ Becomes frustrated with counting or number tasks
☐ Prefers non-number-based activities
Primary School (Ages 6-8)

Basic Maths Skills
​☐ Difficulty learning addition or subtraction
☐ Trouble remembering maths facts
☐ Confusion with number relationships

Understanding Concepts
☐ Difficulty understanding place value
☐ Trouble solving simple maths problems
☐ Difficulty following steps in maths tasks

Speed & Processing
☐ Takes longer than peers to complete maths work
☐ Needs repeated explanations

Behaviour & Emotional Patterns
☐ Avoids maths tasks
☐ Becomes frustrated or overwhelmed
☐ Reduced confidence in maths
Primary School (Ages 8-12)

Maths Skills
☐ Difficulty with multiplication or division
☐ Trouble with fractions, time, or money
☐ Difficulty solving multi-step problems

Application & Understanding
☐ Struggles to apply maths in real-life situations
☐ Difficulty understanding word problems

Memory & Organisation
☐ Difficulty remembering steps in maths tasks
☐ Confusion with sequences or order

Behaviour & Emotional Patterns
☐ Maths anxiety or distress
☐ Avoids maths whenever possible
☐ Negative self-talk about maths ability
What Do Your Answers Mean?

✅ If you ticked a few boxes
  • Your child may still be developing maths skills
  • Continue to support and monitor progress

⚠️ If you ticked several boxes in one area
  • This may suggest maths difficulties that could benefit from support
  • Early strategies can help build confidence

🔴 If you ticked many boxes across multiple sections
  • This may indicate a pattern consistent with dyscalculia or related challenges
  • A more detailed assessment may help provide clarity
What To Do Next (Step-by-Step)

1. Speak with Your Child’s Teacher
  • Ask about maths progress
  • Identify specific areas of difficulty

2. Observe Patterns at Home
  • Is your child struggling with understanding, memory, or applying maths?
  • Do they avoid maths tasks?

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

4. Consider Professional Support
Support can help:
  • Build understanding of number concepts
  • Reduce frustration and anxiety
  • Improve participation in learning

5. Consider an Assessment
​An assessment can:
  • Identify learning difficulties
  • Clarify whether dyscalculia may be present
  • Guide appropriate supports
How We Support Children with Dyscalculia
​​
Not Sure What To Do Next?
​
If this checklist reflects what you’ve been noticing, support is available.
Contact us to discuss your concerns
Ask about maths assessments or support
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 - Dyscalculia Checklist for Children (Ages 4–12)

What is a dyscalculia checklist?
A dyscalculia checklist is a screening tool designed to help parents identify signs that may be associated with dyscalculia.
The checklist can help highlight patterns of difficulty with numbers, maths concepts, and mathematical problem-solving. However, it cannot diagnose dyscalculia.

Does completing this checklist mean my child has dyscalculia?
No.
A checklist is not a diagnostic tool.
Many children show some signs associated with dyscalculia without meeting criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder in Mathematics.
A comprehensive assessment is required to determine whether dyscalculia is present.

What should I do if my child shows several signs on the checklist?
If your child demonstrates multiple signs associated with dyscalculia, you may wish to:
  • Speak with their teacher
  • Discuss concerns with your GP
  • Consider a learning assessment
  • Consider a psychology assessment
Assessment can help identify strengths, challenges, and support needs.

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:
  • Counting
  • Number recognition
  • Maths facts
  • Time concepts
  • Money skills
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Problem solving
Dyscalculia is sometimes described as the maths equivalent of dyslexia.

What are some common signs of dyscalculia?
Common signs may include:
  • Difficulty learning number facts
  • Challenges counting accurately
  • Difficulty understanding quantity
  • Trouble telling time
  • Difficulty working with money
  • Struggling to remember maths procedures
  • Falling behind peers in mathematics
Every child presents differently.

What are some early signs of dyscalculia?
Possible early signs may include:
  • Difficulty recognising numbers
  • Trouble learning counting sequences
  • Difficulty comparing quantities
  • Challenges understanding concepts such as "more" and "less"
  • Difficulty learning simple maths concepts
Not all children showing these signs will have dyscalculia.

At what age can dyscalculia become noticeable?
Signs may be noticed during preschool years, but dyscalculia often becomes more apparent once children begin formal mathematics instruction at school.

How can I tell if my child has dyscalculia?
A child may benefit from assessment if they consistently struggle with maths concepts, number understanding, calculations, time, or money skills despite appropriate teaching and support.
Assessment can help identify whether dyscalculia or another factor may be contributing to these difficulties.

Is dyscalculia related to ADHD?
Dyscalculia and ADHD are different conditions.
However, many children experience both.
ADHD may affect:
  • Attention during maths tasks
  • Working memory
  • Task completion
  • Organisation
Assessment can help determine the factors contributing to a child's maths difficulties.

Can a child have both dyscalculia and ADHD?
Yes.
Many children experience both dyscalculia and ADHD.
Support often needs to address both mathematical learning and executive functioning challenges.

Is dyscalculia linked to autism?
Dyscalculia and autism are different conditions.
Some autistic children may experience maths difficulties, while others demonstrate strong mathematical abilities.
Assessment helps identify individual strengths and support needs.

What can be mistaken for dyscalculia?
Several factors may affect maths performance, including:
  • ADHD
  • Working memory difficulties
  • Anxiety
  • Developmental delays
  • Language difficulties
  • Educational gaps
  • Learning difficulties
Assessment helps identify the underlying causes.

Can children with dyscalculia learn maths?
Absolutely.
Children with dyscalculia can learn maths.
They may require:
  • Explicit instruction
  • Repetition
  • Visual supports
  • Individualised strategies
  • Accommodations
Learning may occur differently, but progress is possible.

Can someone with dyscalculia have a high IQ?
Yes.
Dyscalculia occurs across all levels of intelligence.
A child can be highly intelligent while still experiencing significant difficulties with mathematics.

Does dyscalculia affect intelligence?
No.
Dyscalculia affects mathematical learning rather than overall intelligence.

Can dyscalculia affect everyday life?
Yes.
Dyscalculia can affect more than school mathematics.
Some children may experience challenges with:
  • Managing money
  • Understanding time
  • Following schedules
  • Estimating quantities
  • Remembering dates
  • Understanding measurements
  • Following number-based instructions
The impact varies depending on the child's strengths, support needs, and daily demands.

Does dyscalculia run in families?
Research suggests that learning differences, including dyscalculia, can occur more frequently within families.
Having a family history of learning difficulties may increase the likelihood of similar challenges.
However, not every child with a family history will develop dyscalculia.

Can anxiety make maths difficulties worse?
Yes.
Some children develop anxiety related to maths after experiencing repeated difficulties.
Maths anxiety may affect:
  • Confidence
  • Concentration
  • Test performance
  • Willingness to participate in maths activities
Assessment can help identify whether difficulties are primarily related to dyscalculia, anxiety, or a combination of factors.

How is dyscalculia assessed?
Assessment may involve:
  • Cognitive testing
  • Educational testing
  • Standardised assessments
  • Parent interviews
  • School information
Assessment helps determine whether a child meets criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder in Mathematics.

Who can diagnose dyscalculia in Australia?
Specific Learning Disorders such as Dyscalculia are typically diagnosed through comprehensive assessment conducted by appropriately qualified professionals, such as psychologists.

Can children receive support before a diagnosis?
Yes.
Many children receive educational supports, therapy services, and school accommodations before a formal diagnosis is made.
Early support can often begin while assessment pathways are being explored.

Does Belong Health provide support for children experiencing maths difficulties?
Yes.
Belong Health provides services that may support children experiencing maths difficulties, including:
  • Psychology Assessments
  • Learning Assessments
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Pathology where language difficulties contribute to maths challenges
  • Developmental support services
Our team can help identify appropriate assessment and support pathways.
Related Resources

If you're concerned about possible signs of dyscalculia, you may also find these resources helpful:
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