How to Teach Children With Autism Subtraction

Various tools can be used to assist in teaching autistic children.

Autism is a biological condition that results in brain abnormalities in both the brain structures and the chemical components. The condition commonly results in difficulty with social interaction and communication. Autistic children can become very easily stressed and often rely on regular routines as a way of dealing with anxieties. This can make teaching autistic children difficult since you need to hold and keep the child's attention in a way that is not deemed threatening. Teaching an autistic child subtraction requires patience and persistence.

Things You'll Need

• Counting objects
• Pad
• Pencil or pen

Instructions

1. Choose objects that the child has an affinity for since you will use them for demonstration purposes. If the child enjoys stuffed animals, use stuffed animals when demonstrating mathematical principles.

2. Show the child one object and then the number one written down to associate the number of an object with the written equivalent of that number. Do this for numbers 1 to 10 and use repetition so the child can associate the number of objects with the written amount.

3. Have the child hold a certain number of the object as you repeat the numerical amount over and over again. Repeat this with different amounts to get the child comfortable with numerical value.

4. Give the child a certain amount of the object, such as five, and then take away several of them and count the remaining left with the child. If you are teaching five minus three, you would take three away and count two remaining with the child. Speak out this action as you do this. Even if the child isn't responsive, he is hearing you and it helps to be taught both with visual and hearing elements.

5. Repeat these exercises over and over since repetition is key to learning. Try to get the autistic child to perform these exercises himself as you say the numbers but this will depend on the individual child.

Tips & Warnings

• An abacus is another useful tool to provide a visual aid when going through subtraction problems.

References

• Autism: Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism, Grandin, Temple, December 2002
• Touch Math: How to Teach Math Effectively
• Woodbine House: Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Hands-On Learners