Practical Numbers
It is awe-inspiring to see a person with autism solve a complex math problem without the help of a calculator or calculate the day of a remote date in a previous century. Although we can certainly applaud their talents, we also need to take time to help our friends develop practical skills with numbers so they can function more independently in daily life.
Listen Now:
or
continue reading
Teachers, therapists, family members, and others interested in the well-being of individuals with autism can increase the self-reliance of their friends by, among other things, shaping skills that involve numbers. Just take stock of the practical tasks we use in our daily lives when developing a plan.
For example, some individuals with autism memorize whole phone books, so they can tell you the phone number and address of every person living in a huge city. But they are unable to use a telephone to call their grandmamma or to address a post card to their Aunt Tilly. They are often unable to order a pizza or call to confirm a dental appointment.
One of my friends with autism has an amazing capacity for solving complex algebraic equations. Given that talent, I was surprised that she was unable to calculate how much money she would need to purchase a snack. She and I stopped to grab a snack after a concert. She took her juice and chips to the counter, then pulled out a one-dollar bill. When the clerk said, “That will be $3.15, please,” the teen did not know how much money to give the clerk. I encouraged her to give the clerk four dollars, then the young lady was surprised when she received change.
Some youngsters learn to count at a very early age and have precocious number skills, but are unable to respond when asked, “How many rocks to you see?” Or they are unable to follow a direction such as “Please bring me four spoons.”
These examples illustrate the need for helping individuals with autism develop practical skills that help them function more independently in daily life while at the same time applauding their exceptional gifts. We welcome any examples of exceptional giftedness and of challenges in daily life. We also welcome strategies or tips for helping people with autism learn new skills. Just click on the comment button on our website or send an e-mail to 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
Automatically generated related posts:
- Uneven Language Skills “The students diagnosed with autism in my classes have vastly...
- Ineffective Communication We tend to look at communication simplistically, inadvertently lumping individuals...
- Job-Related Skills “My daughter is entering high school next fall,” wrote the...
- On-the-Job Skills An informal conversation with parents, teachers, and business people yielded...