It started with a third-grade math worksheet. Just one question. A simple word problem about apples.

Liam has three baskets. Each basket holds six apples. How many apples does Liam have in total?”

You read it aloud, slowly. Your child stares blankly. Minutes pass. Then comes the fidgeting, the sighing, and the look of defeat.

You try again. “It’s just multiplication, sweetheart.” Then came the tears. Both of you shed tears.

The incident wasn’t the first time math homework had ended like this, and it likely won’t be the last. But today, something deeper sinks in: This isn’t just about not knowing the answer. It’s bigger than it seems. Flashcards and additional tutoring hours cannot resolve this issue.

If your child has already been diagnosed with dyslexia, you may wonder why math is also a struggle. After all, dyslexia is about reading, right?

Not exactly.

In this blog, we’ll unpack how dyslexia can affect mathematical thinking, why your child might be battling both numbers and letters, and, most importantly, how to stop blaming yourself when things get challenging. 

Mom guilt is a real feeling, but there are scientific insights and practical strategies available to help manage it.

Why Child With Dyslexia Hate Math?

Research indicates that dyslexia frequently co-occurs with deficits in working memory and processing speed. These are the brain’s “executive functions,” the same systems kids use when trying to follow multi-step instructions or solve math problems.

A 2013 study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that children with dyslexia tend to show reduced activity in the parietal lobes, a brain area crucial for numerical understanding.

What That Looks Like at Home

You might notice your child:

• Struggles to remember basic math facts (like 3×4)
• Mixes up numbers (e.g, writing 41 instead of 14)
• Gets overwhelmed with word problems.
• Forgets multi-step instructions halfway through solving them

These aren’t signs of laziness or defiance; they’re neurological.

What Is Dyscalculia, and How Is It Related to Math?

You may have heard the term “dyscalculia” tossed around during an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting or in online parent groups. While not every dyslexic child has dyscalculia, the two often overlap.

Defining Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability affecting a child’s ability to understand number-related concepts. Consider it the “mathematical relative” of dyslexia.

According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, up to 60% of children with dyslexia also show signs of math struggles that resemble dyscalculia.

Common symptoms include

• Difficult recognizing patterns
• Problems with spatial reasoning (which also affect geometry and telling time)
• Inability to estimate quantities
• Avoidance or anxiety around math homework

The overlap is real, and knowing this can make you feel less alone and more informed.

The Hidden Layer: Mom Guilt and Emotional Toll

Let’s address the obvious issue: the guilt that mothers often feel. That sinking feeling arises when you wonder, “Am I doing enough?” “Did I miss something?” “Should I have gotten help sooner?”

You’re Not Alone With Your Kid’s Math Problems

A 2021 survey by Understood.org revealed that over 80% of parents of children with learning differences experience guilt or self-blame at some point.

You may feel frustrated when homework ends in tears or helpless when your child shuts down during math time.

However, awareness is the answer, not guilt.

From Guilt to Grace

Remind yourself:

• Dyslexia is a neurological disorder rather than a consequence of inadequate parenting.
• Early struggles don’t define long-term success.
• You are already doing so much by asking questions and seeking answers, just as you are reading this blog.

How to Support Your Child’s Success in Math (Even with Dyslexia)

Supporting a dyslexic child with math challenges isn’t about “fixing” them. It’s about adapting how we teach and empowering how they learn.

Strategies That Work:

• Use multi-sensory tools like number tiles, drawing out problems, or using fingers for skip counting. These effectively create a visual depiction of numerical values.
• Break problems into smaller steps and offer visual aids to follow sequences.
• Integrate mathematics into everyday tasks, such as cooking, shopping for groceries, or managing budgets. It boosts self-assurance in relaxed settings.
• Explore math applications that incorporate game-based learning, like Prodigy, Numberblocks, or Khan Academy Kids.

You don’t need a math degree, just curiosity, creativity, and compassion.

When to Seek Extra Support (And How to Advocate)

It’s okay if your child needs more than what the school provides. Some children thrive with tutoring, while others require accommodations such as extra time, manipulatives, or oral testing options.

Signs It’s Time to Seek Support:

• Your child shows extreme anxiety or resistance toward math.
• Standard teaching methods just aren’t clicking.
• Homework turns into an emotional meltdown or avoidance.

How to Advocate:

• Ask the school for a formal math evaluation or psychoeducational assessment.
• Keep documentation of your child’s struggles and successes.
• Connect with a special education advocate if needed, especially during IEP meetings.

When love and evidence back your voice, it becomes powerful.

You’re Not Failing, You’re Learning Too

Dyslexia affects more than reading, and its relationship with math can be just as complex and frustrating. For both children, struggling with math is the first step toward removing shame and replacing it with a strategy.

Remember: your child doesn’t need perfection. They need presence. They need someone who sees them beyond the test scores and believes in their capacity to grow, even when the numbers don’t seem to add up right now.

Actionable Takeaways for Moms To Improve Kids in Math

1. Learn about your child’s learning profile. Please consider requesting a cognitive or psychoeducational evaluation if you haven’t already done so.
2. Focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate small wins, such as mastering one multiplication fact or completing a worksheet with less frustration.
3. Use your intuition and observation. You know your child better than any report ever could.
4. Release guilt, embrace grace. You are not responsible for your child’s dyslexia, but you are their most powerful advocate.
5. Build a support village. Join online groups like Decoding Dyslexia or find local parent workshops that center around learning differences.