Autism and math can be a challenging combination for many children. During summertime, it might be tempting to take a break from math practice and wait until the new school year to start again. However, keeping up with math skills during the summer is important to avoid frustration and meltdowns when classes resume.
To help children with autism succeed in math, here are some tips from experienced tutors. These strategies can be useful for parents to apply over the summer to keep their autistic children on track and provide the best education for them.
1. Make real-world connections
Math for autistic students can present a problem because of its more abstract concepts. Because of their concrete thinking, it can be hard for them to understand a vague idea that doesn’t have an obvious practical application.
One tutor told me the story of one student with ASD who would routinely let her know, in no uncertain terms, when he felt a lesson was “pointless.”
Each time, she would help him see the real-world importance of that particular concept, which would aid in his understanding and motivation.
Throughout the summer, try to make those connections for your child whenever you can. Let them pay for items at the store and practice adding and subtracting, multiplying, and dividing in the process.
You can also take your child to a local museum of science to let them experience the way math affects technology and science in a hands-on way.
2. Provide extra positive reinforcement
All kids benefit from positive reinforcement in math. The extra difficulty of understanding social cues makes clear positive feedback even more important for students with autism.
A tutor, Yvonne, shared a story about a student she works with who thrives on praise given enthusiastically and excitedly. Every time Yvonne praised her multiple times each session, she got a “Thank you very much, Miss Yvonne!” This kid was motivated to keep working.
Don’t be sparing in your praise of your ASD child’s math progress. Provide your child with some math work to practice over the summer, and then make a huge deal out of every success. It’ll inspire them to keep up the good work.
3. Introduce changes slowly
Although change is inevitable, it’s hard for children on the spectrum to deal with it sometimes. Unfortunately, math class is full of changes – new concepts, new approaches to solving problems, and new teaching strategies. That can make learning even more difficult.
The tutor recommended introducing changes slowly and gradually. If your child’s previous teacher used a lot of videos to teach, and you know next year’s teacher will use more student work on a smartboard, start discussing the change with your child over the summer.
Get them a whiteboard or tablet to start getting familiar with writing on a board or the apps that might be used. That way, when it’s introduced in school, your child will already be comfortable with it.
4. Provide individualized attention
Ultimately, every student has different math needs. Some children are visual learners, while some are more hands-on.
Some have trouble with geometry but fly through algebra or vice versa. Within those categories, each student has concepts that seem harder or easier to them, depending on their individual strengths and challenges.
The very best way to help your child with autism succeed in math is to get them one-on-one attention to ensure that their unique, specific math needs are being met. Whether you work with them yourself, hire a tutor, or use an online program that tailors lessons to their needs, it’s the most important part.
Getting your child that individual math help over the summer will help them maintain the math skills they’ve already worked so hard to develop. As a result, they’ll be ready to jump into the next school year with minimal upset.
Autism and math skills
So take your kids to the museum this summer. Tell them how incredibly awesome they are, and help them prepare for any changes next year will bring. Teaching math to autistic students doesn’t have to be the biggest challenge you face.
Most importantly, figure out what their unique math needs are and provide that one-on-one attention that’ll help them thrive now, next year, and for the rest of their life.
This article was featured in Issue 89 – Solutions for Today and Tomorrow with ASD
FAQs
Q: How do you teach math to an autistic child?
A: To teach math to an autistic child, use clear instructions, visual aids, real-life examples, and hands-on activities to make concepts easier to understand. Be patient and give lots of positive feedback to help build their confidence and motivate them.
Q: How does autism impact math?
A: Autism can affect how children understand and learn math. Some might find certain math concepts easy, while others are more difficult. They may also need more clear and consistent feedback to help them learn effectively.
Q: Are math difficulties common in autism?
A: Yes, math difficulties are common in autism. Many children with autism find math challenging, especially with certain topics like geometry or algebra. However, each child’s experience with math can be different.
Q: How do students with autism learn best?
A: Students with autism often learn best through consistent routines, visual aids, and hands-on activities. They may also benefit from clear instructions, positive reinforcement, and personalized support tailored to their individual needs.
References
Jennifer C. Bullen, Matthew C. Zajic, Nancy McIntyre, Emily Solari, Peter Mundy, Patterns of math and reading achievement in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 92, 2022, 101933, ISSN 1750-9467, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101933
Lambert, R., Sugita, T., Yeh, C., Hunt, J. H., & Brophy, S. (2020). Documenting increased participation of a student with autism in the standards for mathematical practice. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(3), 494–513. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000425
Teaching Mathematical Word Problem Solving to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Jenny R. Root, Bonnie Ingelin and Sarah K. Cox, Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities Vol. 56, No. 4 (December 2021), pp. 420-436 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27088056
Bullen, J.C., Swain Lerro, L., Zajic, M. et al. A Developmental Study of Mathematics in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or Typical Development. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 4463–4476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04500-9
Maras, K., Gamble, T., & Brosnan, M. (2019). Supporting metacognitive monitoring in mathematics learning for young people with autism spectrum disorder: A classroom-based study. Autism, 23(1), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317722028
