What is the connection of autism and their inclination to mathematics? Reference to your answers please.?

You watched Rain Man one too many times. Your thesis statement is incorrect. Children diagnosed with autism are not “really good” at math. They typically are fixated on one topic or subject and consistently perseverate or focus on one area. They may seem smart at math because of this concentration, but probably are average, at best, for the most part. I mean, most are probably NOT Good at math as children with autism typically have IQ’s below 70.

Obviously, there is a spectrum. And students with higher functioning autism or Asperger’s may be just as smart or smarter at math than someone else…but you cannot generalize this as a trait of autism. Math is more finite and concrete than literature or writing…

I would change your thesis. Maybe you could talk about how you can use an autistic kid to count cards at a casino, rainman!

I’d like a reference in which it is explained that people with autism *are* inclined towards math. That’s a myth, I have two children with autism who are not, and know dozens of others through our support group, with only two who enjoy math, must less are ‘inclined’ to it.

Math is quite difficult for my son with aspergers, and my daughter with severe autism. I would suggest that probably no greater percentage of people with autism are inclined towards math as those without autism. If you can show studies that say otherwise, I would take that into consideration.

Here’s a good quote : Assume nothing when assessing skills. For example, the individual with autism

may be a “math whiz” in Algebra, but not able to make simple change at a cash

register. Or, he may have an incredible memory about books he has read, speeches he has heard or sports statistics, but still may not be able to remember to bring a pencil to class. Uneven skills development is a hallmark of autism.

this may or may not be of help regarding the way the brain works and unusual skills in maths. about 25 years ago i was into all sorts of drugs. one day when i’d combined a couple of drugs before class. i was in a physics class and we did a number of tests which gave us 2 numerical answers per experiment. each result was 3 or 4 digits long. we then had to multiply these two numbers to get the final answer. there were approximately 10 of these equations. to speed things up, i read out the numbers to my partner who put them into a calculator. for some reason, i found that i had the answer before he could even finish putting the numbers in the calculator. I never saw pictures. i didn’t do any calculations, the answers just came out of my mouth as soon as i’d said or seen the numbers. absolutley no delay. i’ve always been good at maths, but have never been able to do this sort of thing before or since that day. maybe the drugs changed the pathways used.

a well known woman with autism is Temple Grandin. she has unusal calculating abilities. maybe reading about her may help you understand the thought processes. There was a special on TV about her once called “the woman who thinks like a cow”

Students with ASD thrive on consistency and literal material. They are concrete thinkers – not very flexible. Math is consistent and concrete. 3 + 3 is always 6. Do it a million times on the calculator or in your head and the answer is always the same.

Other areas are not as concrete, we have idioms/metaphors, we have single words with multiple meanings, we have words with a single pronunciation that means different things, and so on. In life, we have facial expressions, body language, people who say one thing and do another ~ these are not fixed, consistent, or concrete and so are very difficult to understand as the rules change all the time.

Back to math…

These students think in pictures (a mix of a photographic memory and a running movie that can be replayed, and manipulated). So memorizing basic facts, formulas and so on is no big deal.

I have one student whom I am especially impressed with. He can calculate large and multiple numbers in his head quicker than I can punch in on a calculator. He can do this because unlike typical learners, he can SEE the numbers in his head and manipulate/move them to where they need to go ~ a moving picture if you will.

One thing that is difficult for students with ASD and causes a great deal of stress is when they are asked to show how to solve another way or to explain their answer (the inability to be flexible) ~ in my classroom this is the kiss of death. Typically my students do not test well, because they will be asked to show another way to solve or to explain their answer. The thinking is very concrete and they know for sure that 3 + 3 is 6, so why are they being asked to show a different way or to explain themselves.

Just as an FYI, ASD as you are aware is a spectrum disorder and so the abilities vary from person to person. Some of my students are scary smart in math whereas I still have some who use their fingers to add 2 + 1 as they are lower cognitively.

I’m not well educated in ASD, but a quick guess. Similarly to the way that people who lose one of their senses gain sensitivity in their other senses. maybe the lack of proper function of the brain that causes the effects of ASD forces other parts of the brain to work at a higher level than it normally would. sounds good at least.

I do not think you are going to find referenced answers on yahoo answers. My suggestion is to go to your university library (which you can do on-line) and check their data bases. I find LORA is the best source for peer reviewed articles and research (and trust me you want peer reviewed or your thesis is not going to be accepted). If you do not know how to use the site go to your university library and ask for help.

Hope this helps,

R

A contrary view. My daughter is in the spectrum, and she is absolutely non-inclined to maths. She loves art and music instead.