A Developmental Study of Mathematics in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or Typical Development.

The team tracked math growth in the kids over the study period.

One group had autism without intellectual disability.

A second group had ADHD.

A third group was neurotypical.

Every six months the kids took tests on word problems and number facts.

Both the autism and ADHD groups fell behind at the same speed.

By the end their math scores were well below age level.

Low verbal IQ predicted trouble in all three groups.

Even bright autistic kids with good IQs still slipped in math.

Spanoudis et al. (2011) showed 4.7 in 1,000 Bay-Area kids have autism.

That number gives context—many of those kids will need math help.

Byrne et al. (2000) found parent-run ABA can teach early skills.

Yet only two of six kids kept gains on later tests.

Put together, the picture is clear: early ABA may build basic skills, but math still needs its own plan.

Check math each quarter, not just language and social goals.

Watch verbal IQ—if it is low, double the math minutes.

Use visual supports and manipulatives; word-heavy lessons will fail.

Share the data with teachers so they do not blame laziness.

Aim for real-life math: money, time, and measurement.