Dyslexia is not the only obstacle to learning

SIR – At school in the 1960s I struggled with maths and was not allowed to take my maths O-level.

I have had difficulty with numbers all my life, and even now have to check and double-check whenever numbers are involved – writing down telephone numbers, times and dates. Adding up a bill is a nightmare. I have no problem with letters, words, writing and reading (Features, December 7).

I am now too old to be formally diagnosed. When I was at school I was just someone who was a bit “thick” at maths. Without an O-level, I was never able to go to university, which has affected my life chances.

The condition is called dyscalculia and there must be thousands of children who have it, but it is rarely mentioned.

It should be investigated in the same way as dyslexia.

Susan Gregan

London NW5

SIR – I was interested to read Matt Hancock’s proposal that all children be screened for dyslexia. He also mentioned the associated condition of dyspraxia, but not dysgraphia or dyscalculia.

Our son was identified as severely dysgraphic while studying for his A-levels. It was spotted by a learning support teacher and an English teacher before his fourth attempt at an English language GCSE.

An educational psychologist said our son was one of the most intelligent students he’d ever assessed, and that the more intelligent the pupil the longer the condition goes unidentified. He eventually passed his GCSE, and is now a product design student.

While our son is very dysgraphic and has dyspraxia, he is not dyslexic or dyscalculic. These conditions all need to be screened for individually. Melanie Davis

Nottingham