r/dyscalculia

My family background is poor and I'm already "behind" all of my peers at age 24. I haven't been able to move out, finish my bachelors, etc. There are more factors at play in my situation, not just dyscalculia, but it definitely has limited my options. I don't need to be extravagently wealthy, but I crave stability and financial security. The problem is that all of the reliable, well-paid careers seem to be centered around numbers and excellent working memory. Engineers, programmers, accountants, doctors, etc, all have to be very skilled and comfortable with numbers. Has anyone here managed to find a stable career? What field did you go into?

My daughter has dyscalculia. For years I watched her freeze at the register, avoid stores, and feel like she was failing at something everyone else found easy.

So I built Noga's Wallet — a 100% visual money app with voice guidance, designed specifically for people with dyscalculia. No mental math. No abstract numbers. Just real, step-by-step guidance through every purchase.

**What it does:**

- Visual + voice-guided purchase flow (no calculations required)

- Supports change counting, savings vault, and rewards

- Works with USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, ILS, AUD, NZD, SGD

- Available in English, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian

- Parent Zone for safe, supervised spending

We're opening a limited beta — **200 spots, free for life for founding members.**

If this resonates with you, your child, your student, or someone you know — I'd love to have you join:

Happy to answer any questions in the comments. This community has been an inspiration for building this.

Preface: undiagnosed because I’m a coward to get one.

Okay, seriously, I do carry guilt for cheating in 11th and 12th grade at math.

I know this doesn’t scream a big deal (in the sense of warranting a post and the flair), but as my graduation is coming up, all I can really think of is how my graduation doesn’t feel earned and I’m so worried they’re just going to say, “Surprise! We know you cheated and you’re going to be failed!” In front of everyone when it’s my turn to walk.

The reason I cheated is because I was so scared of asking for help in front of my classmates because it always seemed like everyone understood and knew what they were doing. When the teacher asked if we had any questions, nobody really said they did and I didn’t want to seem like the dumbass of the class—especially because I thought “the problem must be easy if no one is speaking up.”

I’ve ALWAYS struggled with math, as far as third grade even (though they PILED us with homework. Genuinely it was utterly insane to expect any kid to finish all of it in one night without staying up late). And it’s not something that’s surprising but I feel like I made it so much harder on myself.

My utter fear at being seen as the dumbest person alive by my peers, and being seen as a nuisance to my teacher, kept me from asking for help. I really thought it was better to sit in silence. To my defense, I genuinely don’t understand math besides the basics. The BASICS. Ive tried to watch videos on math, but it’s so damn boring and I’d much rather be doing anything else.

I don’t get how people look at math and see steps or an equation to solve. All I see are numbers that I’m supposed to get or at least understand. It’s like my comprehension is pure garbage at math. I did fine (I would think so) in all my other subjects. It’s like if a teacher writes an example on the board and then gives up a sheet with a similar problem, then at least I can look back and forth from the board and the problem to have a reference.

But everything goes out the window if they erase it. It’s like my brain goes, “Great. Forget everything and sit here confused, you dumb fuck.” And let’s say I do have the reference, I’m STILL looking back and forth constantly because this idiot brain CANNOT remember the steps it took to solve the problem it just did.

Anyway, I was able to cheat easily because I got switched to night school and everything was online and nobody really cared. I don’t know, man…

I even failed major tests that determined me graduating—MULTIPLE TIMES. If it wasn’t for my school having this program that let us retake it over and over until we passed, then I wouldn’t be able to be in a gown nor wear a cap! I kid you not, I didn’t understand anything of what I was reading and I guessed over and over until I passed.

I got a tutor and it was embarrassing because it felt a big sign that said “look at me!! An idiotic person!!” Being explained things around people make me feel like I was a toddler, but I gotta give credit where it’s due. I really did have a lot of “ohhhh” moments. Still, forgot it during the tests.

Maybe it's not what I'm making it to be, maybe I should've posted this to a vent sub? Maybe a rant suv? I'm so sorry if it doesn't fit. I posted this in ADHD originally, but it was removed and I was recommended this sub. Maybe I should've put this somewhere else. I'm sorry. If it's breaking any rules, let me know!

Okay, so, I keep seeing people say they have difficulty seeing numbers, but for my entire life I have been unable to perceive numbers or do any basic calculations in my head. I have strategies to get around it like finding an easy number and then adding the difference back on (usually I’m off by a number or two). I MUST have a calculator to even get close to passing a math test, otherwise I’ll fail at basic things.

I have limited knowledge about dyscalculia but I really need to know if I’m just stupid or if it’s something I can get help for (especially since I’m in Year 12).

Can anyone help me understand?

If it helps my twin sister has dyslexia that screws with her ability to understand and perceive words, but it doesn’t jump around or anything. Very similar to me but with math.

Has anyone used or heard of the My Multiplication Magic system?

I'm looking for a math tutor for my 9 year old. I found one that uses this system and mainly tutors dyslexics. She notes that it is not only helpful for her students but has also been good for those with dyscalculia.

Any other system out there that would be good for math tutoring?

I'll admit it, the title sounds dramatic, right? But it's truly how dyscalculia makes me feel. Stuck with dead end jobs and no real prospects, due largely to this disability (although I do also have a super fun, chronic health condition that limits my options to some extent). I just need a moment to feel sorry for myself, if only for a few minutes. Then I'll shut up, pinky swear.

But... I did everything right, man! I was a hardworking, responsible student all through high school, with straight As in every class (except one...), above average scores in most placement tests, even a few extracurricular achievements and AP classes to boot... and completely unable to graduate, due to math. That was the one thing - no amount of tutoring or ~extra time~ could make it happen. I could NOT pass the math portion of the graduaiton test, no matter how hard I tried. Teachers tried to get me a special exception of sorts, took it to the Board and everything, trying to help (for which I am deeply grateful, even if it went nowhere), and what do I have to show for it exactly?

Oh, yeah - retail and food service experience! I am so tired of scrapping pennies together at jobs I hate, frozen and unable to move forward or upgrade my life because every skill I have, every area wherein I am above average in any way requires a GED and degree that I will never be able to get because of ONE SINGLE SUBJECT that has zero relevance to any field I would ever pursue, lol. There's nothing I can do about it, "no use crying over spilled milk", so on and so forth. But it really, really sucks.

I feel like I wasn't built for this life or society - like I'm a rotten egg and it's begging to spit me right back out. I know plenty of people have it worse, I have personally had it worse at certain times, but that doesn't ease the ache. So, forgive me for my self indulgent rant - I'll move on, I have no other choice anyway! But if only for a few minutes, please let me sit in this feeling, even if it is a bit selfish.