Easy Read — Dyscalculia as a Customer
Checking Money Can Be Hard
People with Dyscalculia may find it difficult to:
Work out if a bill is correct
Check if the right change has been given
Decide if they should have received more or less change
This can make shopping or paying for services stressful.
Why This Happens
Numbers may be confusing or hard to process quickly
Mental calculations may be slow or unreliable
Comparing totals and amounts takes extra effort
Even if the mistake is small, it can be difficult to notice.
How to Support Customers
1️⃣ Clear Receipts
Receipts should clearly show:
Price of each item
Total amount
Payment method
Change given
2️⃣ Check Assistance Available
Encourage staff to check totals if asked
Use customer service desks for reassurance
3️⃣ Allow Time
Give the customer time to count and check change
Avoid rushing them
4️⃣ Accessible Visual Tools
Some shops provide:
Price labels
Digital displays
Clear breakdowns on receipts
These help customers feel confident.
Key Message
Being a customer with Dyscalculia can be stressful, even for adults who understand numbers in other areas.
Support should focus on:
Clear information
Time to process
Respectful assistance
This helps customers feel confident, independent, and safe when handling money.
Easy Read — Managing Cash and Cards with Dyscalculia
Managing Money Can Be Hard
People with Dyscalculia may find both cash and cards challenging:
Cash difficulties:
Counting notes and coins
Calculating totals
Working out change
Keeping track of small amounts
Card difficulties:
Spending more than available
Tracking balances
Understanding monthly statements
Knowing if you are in debt
Why This Happens
Numbers are hard to process in your head
Mental calculations may be slow or confusing
Working memory overloads with multiple steps
Stress or pressure can make mistakes more likely
Practical Ways to Make Money Management Easier
1️⃣ For Cash
Use visual aids: coins and notes laid out in order
Step-by-step guides for giving or receiving change
Counters or trays to keep money organised
Ask a colleague, friend, or manager to check
2️⃣ For Cards
Track spending visually using apps
Set spending limits and alerts
Review statements with support if needed
3️⃣ Combine Methods
Use cash for small, easy amounts
Use cards for larger, tracked payments
Mix methods depending on what is easiest
Key Message
Money management is challenging, not because of laziness, but because of how the brain processes numbers.
Both cash and card methods can create difficulties.
With practical support and tools, people with Dyscalculia can manage money successfully and confidently.
Important Thought
Everyone makes mistakes with money sometimes.
Dyscalculia may make mistakes more likely and stressful,
But support, clear systems, and respectful tools reduce errors and build independence.
Easy Read — Money, Dyscalculia, and Being Careful
Some People Can Make Mistakes — Or Be Dishonest
Everyone can make mistakes with money.
Some people may try to take advantage.
For someone with Dyscalculia:
It is harder to notice if the wrong change is given.
It is harder to check a bill or receipt.
It is harder to tell if someone is being honest.
How to Stay Safe
1️⃣ Check with Support
Ask a manager, colleague, or trusted person to check transactions if unsure.
Double-check large purchases or important payments.
2️⃣ Use Tools
Cash registers, tills, or apps that calculate totals.
Receipts to review spending later.
Visual step-by-step guides for counting or giving change.
3️⃣ Take Your Time
Don’t feel rushed when counting money or checking bills.
Step back and verify before leaving a shop or completing a payment.
4️⃣ Be Confident to Ask Questions
It is okay to ask staff to check the total or change.
You have the right to accurate transactions.
Key Message
Dyscalculia can make it harder to spot mistakes or dishonesty.
Using tools, support, and step-by-step checks keeps money handling safe.
Asking for help is normal and responsible, not a weakness.
Important Thought
Everyone can make errors or be tricked sometimes.
For someone with Dyscalculia:
Mistakes may happen more often,
But practical supports and safe systems reduce risk and stress.
- Writing
Easy Read — Supporting Someone with Dyscalculia to Manage Money
Why Support Is Needed
People with Dyscalculia can find numbers and money hard to manage.
They may struggle to:
Know if they have enough to pay bills
Calculate change or balances
Understand monthly statements
Prioritise spending
Even adults may need guidance — and that is normal.
What Support Workers, Families, and Carers Can Do
1️⃣ Focus on Essentials First
Ensure bills are paid on time
Make sure there is enough money for food, rent, and utilities
Prioritise basic needs over non-essential purchases
2️⃣ Help Monitor Spending
Keep simple, easy-to-read records
Track money going in and out
Use visuals, charts, or coloured notes if helpful
3️⃣ Step-by-Step Checking
Break tasks into small steps
For bills:
Check amount due
Check payment method
Check balance after payment
4️⃣ Support With Shopping and Cash
Help with change or counting
Use labelled trays or counters
Encourage double-checking totals
5️⃣ Use Technology Carefully
Cards and apps can help track spending
Automatic payments for essentials reduce stress
Alerts for low balances can prevent mistakes
6️⃣ Encourage Independence Safely
Let the person make choices about spending
Support without taking total control
Praise correct decisions
Important Things to Remember
Everyone makes mistakes with money — even people without Dyscalculia
People with Dyscalculia may make mistakes more often
Support should reduce stress, not take away independence
Prioritising Needs Over Wants
Some purchases are essential:
Food
Bills
Rent / housing
Medicine / healthcare
Other purchases are “nice-to-have”:
Gadgets
Games
Extras
Support should help the person meet essential needs first, then manage non-essential spending safely.
Key Message
Support is about safety, confidence, and independence
Use simple, visual methods
Monitor essentials first
Respect the person’s choices for non-essential spending
Mistakes are normal; support reduces risk
Optional Tools for Support
Colour-coded budget charts
Step-by-step checklists for bills
Spending diary or app
Visual “priority list” of needs vs wants
Calculator or app for change / totals
This approach keeps the person dignified, independent, and safe, while reducing financial stress and mistakes.
Easy Read — Money & Dyscalculia: Support and Safety
Money Can Be Hard With Dyscalculia
People with Dyscalculia may find it difficult to:
Count cash or coins
Work out totals or change
Track spending over time
Understand bills or statements
Know if they have enough money for essentials
It is not laziness — it is how numbers are processed.
Even adults can need support. Everyone deserves help without judgement.
Supporting People Respectfully
Support should be:
Step-by-step
Visual (pictures, charts, colours)
Age-appropriate
Focused on essentials first, not “nice-to-have” items
Step 1 — Focus on Essentials
Make sure the person has:
Enough money for food
Bills paid on time
Rent / housing
Medicine or healthcare
Other purchases, like gadgets, games, or treats, come after essentials.
Step 2 — Support With Cash
Use trays or counters to organise coins and notes
Step-by-step guide for giving or receiving change
Encourage checking totals before leaving a shop
Use receipts for verification
Step 3 — Support With Cards
Track spending with apps or spreadsheets
Set limits and alerts for balances
Automatic payments for bills reduce stress
Review monthly statements carefully
Step 4 — Visual & Step-by-Step Tools
Budget charts with colour coding
Spending diaries
Step-by-step checklists for bills or change
Visual “needs vs wants” guides
These tools reduce stress and mistakes while keeping independence.
Step 5 — Safety & Safeguarding
People who provide support should be trustworthy and vetted
Police checks and company vetting reduce risk
Some staff may exploit vulnerable people (take money, steal items)
Monitoring is important without removing independence
Families and carers should know how to spot and prevent issues
Step 6 — Encourage Confidence
Let the person make decisions about spending, where safe
Praise correct choices
Support mistakes as normal — everyone makes them
Step 7 — Be Aware of Risks as a Customer
Checking bills, receipts, or change can be hard
Ask for help or double-check if unsure
Take your time when counting money
Use trusted staff or systems to stay safe
Key Messages
Dyscalculia affects money processing — not intelligence.
Mistakes happen — support reduces stress and risk.
Prioritise essentials before “nice-to-have” spending.
Support workers, carers, and family should be vetted and trustworthy.
Use visual, step-by-step, age-appropriate tools.
Encourage independence while keeping the person safe.
Optional Practical Tools
Priority Spending Chart (essentials vs wants)
Step-by-Step Bill Tracker
Cash & Card Checklists
Receipts for verification
Visual guides for change and totals
These tools make money management safer, clearer, and more independent for people with Dyscalculia.
asy Read — Money & Dyscalculia: Support and Safety
Money Can Be Hard With Dyscalculia
People with Dyscalculia may find it difficult to:
Count cash or coins
Work out totals or change
Track spending over time
Understand bills or statements
Know if they have enough money for essentials
It is not laziness — it is how numbers are processed.
Even adults can need support. Everyone deserves help without judgement.
Supporting People Respectfully
Support should be:
Step-by-step
Visual (pictures, charts, colours)
Age-appropriate
Focused on essentials first, not “nice-to-have” items
Step 1 — Focus on Essentials
Make sure the person has:
Enough money for food
Bills paid on time
Rent / housing
Medicine or healthcare
Other purchases, like gadgets, games, or treats, come after essentials.
Step 2 — Support With Cash
Use trays or counters to organise coins and notes
Step-by-step guide for giving or receiving change
Encourage checking totals before leaving a shop
Use receipts for verification
Step 3 — Support With Cards
Track spending with apps or spreadsheets
Set limits and alerts for balances
Automatic payments for bills reduce stress
Review monthly statements carefully
Step 4 — Visual & Step-by-Step Tools
Budget charts with colour coding
Spending diaries
Step-by-step checklists for bills or change
Visual “needs vs wants” guides
These tools reduce stress and mistakes while keeping independence.
Step 5 — Safety & Safeguarding
People who provide support should be trustworthy and vetted
Police checks and company vetting reduce risk
Some staff may exploit vulnerable people (take money, steal items)
Monitoring is important without removing independence
Families and carers should know how to spot and prevent issues
Step 6 — Encourage Confidence
Let the person make decisions about spending, where safe
Praise correct choices
Support mistakes as normal — everyone makes them
Step 7 — Be Aware of Risks as a Customer
Checking bills, receipts, or change can be hard
Ask for help or double-check if unsure
Take your time when counting money
Use trusted staff or systems to stay safe
Key Messages
Dyscalculia affects money processing — not intelligence.
Mistakes happen — support reduces stress and risk.
Prioritise essentials before “nice-to-have” spending.
Support workers, carers, and family should be vetted and trustworthy.
Use visual, step-by-step, age-appropriate tools.
Encourage independence while keeping the person safe.
Optional Practical Tools
Priority Spending Chart (essentials vs wants)
Step-by-Step Bill Tracker
Cash & Card Checklists
Receipts for verification
Visual guides for change and totals
These tools make money management safer, clearer, and more independent for people with Dyscalculia.
Money & Dyscalculia: Visual Toolkit
Practical Support for Cash, Cards, and Bills
1️⃣ Priority Spending Chart
Priority Examples Notes Essential Food, rent, bills, medicine Must be paid first Important Utilities, transport, necessary clothes Keep track, pay next Optional / Nice-to-Have Gadgets, games, treats Only if money left over 💡 Tip: Colour-code the table (red = essential, yellow = important, green = optional) to make it easy to see at a glance.
2️⃣ Cash Checklist
Before Paying / Receiving Change:
-
Count money in hand
-
Check the price / total
-
Pay the correct amount
-
Count change received carefully
-
Use receipt to check
-
Ask for help if unsure
💡 Tip: Lay notes and coins in order to make counting easier.
3️⃣ Card Checklist
Using Cards Safely:
-
Check balance before spending
-
Track spending (app, notes, or chart)
-
Set spending limits or alerts
-
Automatic payments for bills if possible
-
Review statements when received
-
Ask for help to check totals if unsure
💡 Tip: Colour-code essentials vs optional in app/spending tracker.
4️⃣ Step-by-Step Change Guide
Example: Customer gives $10 for a $6.50 purchase
-
Start with total amount received: $10
-
Subtract the cost: $10 − $6.50 = ?
-
Count out the change in notes and coins
-
Double-check by adding cost + change = $10
-
Give change confidently
💡 Tip: Use a small tray or labelled coin spaces to organise cash.
5️⃣ Quick Safety Tips for Staff / Carers / Families
-
Use vetted, trustworthy support staff
-
Keep records of payments and spending
-
Monitor essentials first: bills, food, rent
-
Encourage independence where possible
-
Mistakes are normal; support reduces stress
-
Give time and avoid rushing the person
💡 Tip: Hidden conditions like Dyscalculia can make tasks slower — patience is essential.
✅ Key Principles
-
Focus on safety, essentials, and dignity
-
Step-by-step and visual supports reduce mistakes
-
Both cash and cards can be challenging
-
Use checklists, charts, and receipts
-
Support without taking away independence
This toolkit can be printed as a single-page sheet, used in a wallet, at a till, or as a reference at home.
If you like, I can also turn this into a fully designed, Easy Read PDF/visual poster with:
-
Colour-coding
-
Icons for cash, cards, receipts
-
Step-by-step visuals for change
-
Age-appropriate images (bears, coins, shopping items)
This would make it even easier to use in real life for learners, employees, or anyone supporting someone with Dyscalculia.
-
No comments:
Post a Comment