Hypernumeracy
Hypernumeracy or hypercalculia is the exceptional ability to learn maths. This happens at an early age. It includes being able to calculate numbers, and a fascination for all things number related.
Hypernumeracy or hypercalculia is the exceptional ability to learn maths. This happens at an early age. It includes being able to calculate numbers, and a fascination for all things number related.
The child may count and calculate before they start school.
Children may learn to maths naturally, without being taught.
A child may like big numbers like billion and trillion.
They may like anything number related such as dates or time.
Maths and play
Children may like maths being part, even their main part of playing. There are lots of games and things that incorporate numbers.
Social and language
Some children may have what is called ‘asynchronous development’. This is where they could be very good at maths, but not develop as quickly in other areas such as social skills or language.
Fun of numbers
Numbers can be fun, they can be in songs, games and are all around us.
Order and patterns
Some children who like maths may also like patterns.
A children's picture book about Number Girl in Number World
Our picture book Number Girl is co-produced with a family who have experienced hypernumeracy. It is non-fiction, about a girl who loves numbers and it explores a different maths concept visually on each page.
Simple clear resources
Read our information in Easy Read format. Simply written with pictures to aid understanding. Made using Photosymbols under licence.
Our survey results
In our parent survey (2024) of children with neurodevelopmental differences, 169 out of 367 parents reported that their children had strengths in maths.
said their child had strengths in maths (169 responses out of 367)
Growing Different Parent Survey 2024 – notes and limitations
394 families of neurodivergent children took part in our online survey. Most children were autistic (about 8 in 10). People chose to take part, so the figures show their experiences, not all children. We did not compare them with any other group, so they can’t show how common something is or what causes it. Some questions had more responses than others.
Please credit ‘Growing Different Parent Survey 2024‘ and read more in our survey insights page
Simple clear resources
Dyscalculia is when a child finds maths very difficult. We also have an Easy Read for this.
Simply written with pictures to aid understanding. Made using Photosymbols under licence.
These are links about maths. A link is not an endorsement. We are not responsible for the content of external links.
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Information created: April 2026 I Next review: April 2029
This site gives general information, not medical advice. We share information and resources, but we can’t offer individual or one-to-one support. Always check with a professional before making decisions about your child.
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Supported by
This project has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the CPCA (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority), delivered through Allia Impact Ltd.
