FAQautism

Because this is our 200th podcast for FAQautism.com, we thought it would be appropriate to address an issue brought up by numerous parents and teachers – that of an incredible gift of numbers and sequences displayed by some individuals diagnosed with autism. This discussion revolves around the unimaginable scope of this phenomenon as well as the pros and cons of being blessed with this gift.

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Some of our friends with autism have extraordinary memories for dates. For example, they might be able to remember the year, month, date, day, and exact time of a doctor’s appointment, a friend’s birthday party, or another event that happened many years ago. They may be able to instantly come up with the answer to complex math problems or be able to count in multiples of seventeen. One mom wrote that her sweet son “has the extraordinary ability to tell the day for any date / any year / any century. He also knows the timetable details of almost all the trains in India!”

Most people are amazed when they witness a demonstration of amazing feats with numbers. Because we are unable to even approach this level of expertise, we just stand in awe and enjoy watching the genius at work.

At the same time, some of our friends become obsessed with numbers, an obsession that can lead to undue anxiety or to frustration that results in a meltdown. Some numerically gifted individuals become very agitated if their sequencing is interrupted by meals, the school bus, or other practical matters. Some are very frustrated when other people are unable to help them with a numerical issue or if a date is misprinted or misremembered by another person. When the interest in numbers becomes an obsession that stands in the way of relationships, daily activities, or peace of mind, we might want to consider taking steps to change the focus.

The parent of the bright young man in India wrote, “How do you suggest we harness this skill to be useful in real life?” This parent joins an army of folks who are looking for ways to help guide our friends in using their talents and interests in numbers in a productive manner. Each situation is unique, so a strategy for maximizing potential and using the gift of numbers might work well for one person, but might not be applicable for a person in a different situation. So we encourage folks to contact us with some details about the specific circumstances so we can brainstorm ideas that may help them use their unique talent productively. We also encourage folks to share ideas that have worked for their gifted friends with autism. Just send us an e-mail at talk@FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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