Research: Comparing Number Lines and Touch Points to Teach Addition Facts to Students with Autism

The touch point method may be helpful for some children with autism who are learning to add numbers.

This study was designed to see if the use of touch point skills is a good way to teach math to children with autism. Touch point was very helpful in teaching addition to the three elementary students in the study. Two of the three children were also able to use the number line to add numbers. The study did not look to see if the ability to add lasted after touch point was faded out. The authors hope that a better knowledge of addition will translate into better math skills in general, telling time, using money, buying things, banking, and problem-solving.