Math is a challenge for many children and adults with normal or even strong academic skills and abilities in other areas. Problems with quantifying, processing sequences, and recognizing patterns may all be present.  Some of these difficulties can manifest early in life as difficulty learning to count or slowness to learn familiar sequences by rote.  Dyscalculia can manifest during the elementary school years as trouble learning basic math facts, challenges with learning and remembering basic math procedures, and difficulty managing the visuospatial components of mathematics, such as working with geometric figures, lining up columns of numbers, and accurately reading charts and graphs.   During high school and beyond, finishing required math courses and using math in applied contexts, in courses in the sciences and social sciences, for example, can be quite a challenge.

As with other learning disability types, issues in other areas can manifest as difficulty with mathematics that is not truly "dyscalculia," or difficulty with calculation.  For example, poor concentration can cause small errors in complex calculations that undermine accuracy, leading to frustration.  Nonverbal Learning Disorder can cause difficulties with visuospatial processing and pattern recognition that impact mathematics achievement.   Performance anxiety can further complicate diagnosis.   A thorough evaluation can help.