TL;DR:
- Dyscalculia isn’t just a challenge—it’s a unique way of perceiving the world, where numbers become more about shapes, patterns, and intuition
- Despite struggling with traditional math, I’ve developed strong problem-solving, logic, and creative thinking skills to overcome daily hurdles
- Number sense issues extend beyond the classroom into daily life (e.g., time management, distances), but I’ve created effective workarounds
- My experiences have built resilience and resourcefulness, skills that translate well into any job or challenge
- Living with dyscalculia has taught me to embrace different perspectives and leverage alternative problem-solving methods—a superpower in roles requiring creativity and adaptability
While reflecting on 2023 and 2018, I realized something unique — I don’t think of years as ‘numbers’ or ‘values’ the way most people do. For me, they take on shapes and patterns, a perspective that has shaped how I approach challenges in life, not just in math but in everything.
I have dyscalculia, often described as a “learning disability in math”. But I prefer to think of it as a different way of processing numbers and quantities. I went through my entire primary and secondary education without being diagnosed. It wasn’t until recently in college that I finally understood why math had always been such a challenge.
In this article, I’ll explain how I was finally diagnosed, what it meant growing up as both “gifted” and having dyscalculia (yes, you can be both!), and how poor number sense manifests in my daily life.
Have you ever felt like you see numbers differently from others? How has this unique perspective helped you in unexpected ways? Share your experiences in the comments!
Growing up “Gifted” with Dyscalculia
Interestingly, I was identified in first grade as a “gifted and talented” (GATE) student. I excelled in reading and creative subjects, often reading far above my grade level. However, math remained a persistent challenge. The times tables—especially the 6s, 7s, and 8s—were my nemesis. Even today, I have to work them out rather than recall them automatically.
In high school, I excelled in geometry, scoring a 110% final grade. Geometry was visual—something I could grasp. However, algebra was a completely different story. While I managed to earn A’s in my classes, they were a significant challenge. When I took precalculus in college, it was an (as-yet) insurmountable obstacle to my planned path in computer science and engineering.
This experience led me to pursue a career in information technology instead of my dream of computer science. While I couldn’t meet the calculus requirements for a CS degree, I discovered that I excelled in practical aspects of IT, like hardware support, network administration, and programming. These roles focus on logical problem-solving, troubleshooting, and creative thinking—skills that dyscalculia actually helped me sharpen.
Looking back, while math posed constant challenges, the experience taught me perseverance and resilience—skills that have proven invaluable throughout my career. These early struggles forced me to find new ways of thinking, which turned out to be my greatest assets.
Did you face similar challenges in your education? How did you turn these obstacles into opportunities for growth? Let me know in the comments!
Navigating Life with Dyscalculia
Time Management
One area where dyscalculia presents challenges is time management. Estimating how long tasks will take or how much time has passed can be tricky. However, I’ve developed strategies to work around this:
- Setting multiple alarms for important appointments
- Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
- Using visual cues and routines to track time passing
The strategies I’ve developed — whether using alarms or breaking tasks into smaller steps — have not only helped me manage time more effectively, but they’ve also made me resourceful, highly organized, and attentive to detail—valuable skills in any professional setting
Dates and Years
Similarly, remembering specific dates or even years is a huge challenge. Since numbers (and years are just numbers) do not have an intrinsic meaning to me, I tend to remember things related to events.
- 1984 relates to the Olympics in Los Angeles.
- 1999/2000 relates to the Millennium bug.
- 2001 relates to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in NYC and DC.
- 2012 relates to my father’s death.
- 2016 relates to my mother’s death.
- 2020 relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, when I think about something else that occurred, I have to think about which of those keystone dates it fell between, and then try to narrow it down from there. I have friends who can tell me not only the year something happened, but the month, day, and sometimes even the time of the event. It astounds me when they can remember numbers in that level of detail.
So how do I compensate? Everything goes into my Google Calendar. I tell people “if it’s not in my calendar, it doesn’t exist for me”. I also take a lot of photos. Since those are visual, I can often remember a specific thing that happened near that time, search my Google Photos for the image, and then that tells me the approximate date of the event in question. Likewise, I can also use other documents to find specific dates, too. It’s definitely a work-around, but it gets the job done remarkably well overall.
Measurements and Distances
Estimating distances or sizes can be challenging with dyscalculia. Signs like “Bus Stop in 500 feet” don’t mean much to me intuitively. However, this has led me to develop creative problem-solving skills:
- Using visual markers or landmarks instead of numerical distances
- Relating distances to familiar objects or spaces
- Always having a long extension cord on hand, just in case!
These adaptations have made me particularly adept at finding innovative solutions to spatial problems, a skill that’s surprisingly useful in many fields.
What creative strategies have you developed to overcome challenges in your daily life? How have these workarounds become strengths in your personal or professional life? Share your experiences in the comments.
Turning Challenges into Superpowers
Living with dyscalculia has, in many ways, been a blessing in disguise. The necessity to find workarounds has helped me hone problem-solving skills that go beyond numbers. I’ve become adept at thinking creatively and spotting patterns that others may miss. While traditional math remains a challenge, it has strengthened my ability to approach problems in new and innovative ways.
As in geometry, I excel at logic and algorithmic thinking. Even if I can’t do a calculation in my head, I can usually break it down into logical steps and then use a tool (calculator, spreadsheet, program, etc.) to arrive at the correct answer. This skill is particularly valuable in IT and programming roles, where breaking down complex problems into manageable steps is crucial.
In roles that require flexibility, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking, dyscalculia has actually given me an edge. I’ve learned to approach problems from unique angles, often finding solutions that others might overlook. This different perspective can be a significant asset in fields that value innovation and creative problem-solving.
Living with dyscalculia has taught me that there’s more than one way to see the world. What some may see as a limitation, I’ve come to see as a gateway to new perspectives. By embracing these differences, I’ve learned to break problems down, piece by piece, finding creative solutions that others might miss.
What unique perspective or skill have you developed from overcoming challenges? How has it become a superpower in your work or personal life?
Conclusion
Living with dyscalculia doesn’t define me — it shapes how I approach challenges. While numbers may never come easily, I’ve learned to navigate the world in my own way, using creativity, logic, and resourcefulness. These qualities are assets in any professional setting, where flexibility and adaptability are key.
By understanding and adapting to my adult dyscalculia, I’ve found ways to thrive in a world full of numbers. If you or someone you know might have dyscalculia, remember that it doesn’t limit your potential. With the right strategies and support, you can navigate these challenges and discover your own unique strengths, turning what some might see as a weakness into a powerful asset.
Numbers may never come easily, but my experience has shown me that the way we face challenges can shape our greatest strengths. If you, too, see the world a little differently, remember that those differences are what make us more adaptable, creative, and resilient — qualities that are invaluable in any career.
Do you have a unique way of thinking that has helped you in your career or daily life? Let’s talk about how these “challenges” can become superpowers. Share your story in the comments!
The “Adult Dyscalculia” header image was generated by Midjourney using prompts crafted by K.W. “Will” Murray (Willscrlt) and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license. It is available for public remixing per Midjourney’s terms and conditions. All other rights are reserved.