#MyDyscalculiaStory: Sarah Miles
Monday 20 February 2023
After being referred to my University's Educational Psychologist (EP) and undergoing an assessment last month, I found out today they officially diagnosed me as being Dyscalculic.
In adulthood, Dyscalculia can present in many other different ways - following instructions, knowing right & left, retaining information and facts, writing lists, accuracy, sequencing, and short-term memory (the list goes on!) - as well as the main problem of basic numeracy, reading/writing numbers and doing any kind of mathematics. All things that I struggle with at times but never thought anything of it, other than, that’s just me!
Dyscalculia can be hereditary, but only a small % of people are known to have it. My Mum has struggled with all the same things as me, so the EP's reckoning is that she has it too.
As a Student Nurse, we are encouraged to share information that can help people (as long as it's from a reputable source) so here is some more information on Dyscalculia from the British Dyslexia Association https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyscalculia. If anyone else does or has ever struggled in the same way, please know you are not stupid or just 'not good with numbers'. It's not easy getting tested but the link does advise on how to go about it and it can help.
Honestly, I can't explain how much of a relief it is getting this diagnosis today and really hope by sharing my experience I can help others too.