In today’s article we delve into the link between autism and numbers. We cover why some autistic children can get obsessed with numbers and math skills in general.

Lets dive in.

Autism and math/numbers

If you’ve noticed your autistic child displaying a keen interest or even an obsession with numbers, rest assured, you are not alone.

Many autistic children find solace and fascination in the world of numbers, and there’s often clear reasons for it.

Sense of order

Autistic children often thrive in environments that provide a sense of order and predictability.

Numbers, with their precision and logical sequences, offer a structured and dependable world.

If you think about them they never change.

Three always follows four and counting itself can form a rhythmical pattern which appeals to many.

This can often be the case with the alphabet as well.

Your child’s love for numbers might be a way of creating order amidst the chaos of the external world.

Routine

In a similar vein to the sense of order, routine in general can play a big factor in a child’s interest in numbers.

Numbers follow patterns and routines, not just the basic form of counting up or down, but also such patterns as times tables.

This predictability can provide a soothing effect, offering a stable and familiar ground in a world that might otherwise seem overwhelming.

A form of expression

As we know, communication can be a struggle for a number of individuals with autism.

For some autistic children, numbers become a unique form of communication and self-expression.

It’s their way of interacting with the world, a language that provides clear consistency.

They may struggle for example to articulate sentences but numbers may be a way they can comfortably speak out loud.

Encouraging this interest is likely to enhance their ability to express themselves in a way that feels natural to them.

A useful tool

An autistic child who has developed a keen interest in numbers may have simply learnt they are a useful tool.

In a world where communicating with others can be tricky, suddenly having the ability to pass on messages can be game changing.

For example, simply being able to ask a parent for 2 cookies could appeal for obvious reasons.

Words like ‘more’ might not quite be in their vocabulary, but a request via a number does the job in itself sometimes.

What about autism and being good at math and numbers?

It is important to start by stating this can be a widespread generalisation.

As many parents who visit our site will know, not all autistic individuals have a strength in mathematics.

In fact it can actually be disheartening to some parents who often receive a barrage of comments assuming their autistic child has some sort of academic gift.

It is important to remember that every child is different, and that autism affects each person in unique ways.

So just as some individuals with ASD may have strong math skills, others may struggle.

The obvious key is to provide your child with the support they need to reach their full potential.

With all that said however there is some evidence to suggest that there may be a connection between the two.

Several studies have investigated this association, and some findings suggest that individuals with autism may have an increased aptitude for math and science.

This could be due to a number of factors, such as increased focus and attention to detail.

Alternatively it could just be a propensity for a different approach to problem-solving.

One study, published in 2001, found that children with autism had significantly higher scores on a test of spatial reasoning.

Spatial reasoning for those unaware is an important skill in math.

Another study from 2018, found that individuals with autism were more likely to be interested in math and science than peers.

The study also found that individuals with ASD were more likely to pursue careers in math and science.

What should parents do if their autistic child is obsessed with numbers?

The first thing to consider here is that as far as obsessions go, there could be worse for your child.

We have heard countless examples of autistic children being obsessed in all kinds of things.

These range from coat hangers to washing machines.

Point being if your child is obsessed with numbers it may be that you want to slowly redirect their interest if possible, not try to eradicate it altogether.

Here are some tactics to consider;

Link words with numbers

There are many great books about numbers that can teach your child about different concepts.

Trying to merge their interest in numbers with other academic pursuits

Some popular titles include “Count the Diggers“.

Or the globally successful “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle which follows a counting theme is also great.

The personal favourite in our household however is “Ten Little Dinosaurs” by Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty.

This follows a tale about some dinosaurs who have lost their Mum but comes to a happy conclusion.

The point I’m trying to make here is that if you can combine your child’s interest in numbers with other skills you may help develop areas like speech and language.

Find kids with similar interests

For some autistic children, making friends can be tough.

We’ve written a number of articles on the subject but it’s often down to struggles with communication and general social skills.

With that being the case, a good way of helping your child make friends is to find common interests.

Although something like math isn’t as common as sports or computer games, there are still other kids out there with the same interest.

Have a search of social media in your area looking for math clubs or even something like basic computer programming.

Inserting your child into such environments may be a good way of embracing their interests whilst helping them socially.

Have fun

Another way in which you can embrace your child’s interest in numbers is via making games of them.

Something like building with blocks is a great way for children to embrace spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Together you can count the blocks as they are added to a tower.

Another fun idea is to arrange a numbered scavenger hunt. Create a list of different numbers and ask your child to find them around your house, neighborhood, or park.

For example, you could ask them to find the number 4 on a door, the number 5 on a car, or the number 6 on a tree.

Finally the old favourite of hide and seek utilises a countdown which may appeal to your child.

Playing hide and seek with others is a great way of improving their social skills also.

Summary – Autism and numbers

An autistic child’s love for numbers is unlikely to be just a phase.

It’s actually a window into their world, a world where order, routine, and expression intertwine.

Try to embrace this journey, celebrate their uniqueness, and watch as their passion for numbers becomes a stepping stone to a future filled with possibilities.

Any tips or ideas?

We would love to hear from you if you have got any techniques or ideas for our readers to try.

Be sure to leave a comment if any of the above has helped or if you have any ideas we can add to this article.

Also be sure to search for any other articles you might find helpful.

Try for example searching below for topics like ‘meltdown’ or ‘communication’.