Please help, teaching asd DS (7) math concepts

[someoneoutthere]

DS (7, asd) is struggling with math concepts like greater, fewer. When we lay out objects, he can tell which objects are more or less, but he just can't transfer this to numbers. For example if there are 6 objects in front of him he can compare that to other same type of objects to say which pile of objects are more/less. But if asked, is 6 more than 3, he just does not get it. Please help, give me ideas as to how I can tackle this or point me towards any books that can help teaching math concepts.

Thanks in advance.

Can you use flash cards with numbers on them in conjunction with the groups of objects to reinforce the actual numbers used?

For example, two piles of objects. Say 3 in one pile, 6 in another. Have him count the objects in each pile, and choose the cards with a "3" and "6" on them and put them in front of the piles. Then ask him with one is more or less/greater or fewer, so while he's going over the concept with you, he's got both the objects and the cards to look at and refer to.

Try ICT maths games click on more/less.

Thank you Triggles and exoticfruits. Triggles, we are using what you have suggested, he is just not getting it yet, but we will be continuing with it as he is very visual.

exoticfruits, ds likes playing games, can't wait to get him to play these games when he is back from school today.

On the computer they just think it is fun! Good luck! In the future- if you just google the concept that you want it will come up with sites. this one is good.

Use number lines as well as groups of objects. Number line round the walls, large number line chalked on ground outside or anywhere really. Play lots of games - stepping forward, stepping back. Be very very clear throughout that one way is getting BIGGER and the other way, SMALLER. Play with step sizes, even negatives etc. Must be fun though - google number line games (disclaimer - no time to look but there must be lots out there).

Am maths teacher/specialist - it's so important that they develop their concept of number both in terms of size of a group AND in positional sense.

Ooh yes, and numicon. You can physically see that the 6 is bigger than the 3. In fact, you can see it is 3 bigger than 3 as two 3s fit on top of the 6. Sorry, rushing for school run!

I was also going to recommend numicon. Recently my son school sent home an adapted (added question) snakes and ladders game to be played EVERY day. It really help him understand number value as he learnt the bigger numbers moveds him further and he also started predicting what number he needed to get to the ladders. It was so simple but effective.

Thank you everyone. I have got lots to work on, I suspect it does not help that math was one subject I hated at school, I can't help thinking I approach it with a bit of fear still.

Schobe, I have numicon starter kit, but we have not used it much. It has not come with much instructions or ideas, but I will have a search on the internet to see the types of games we can play. Great idea about playing games with numbers, I have not thought about that.

Cheesetoasty, we have snakes and ladder game for social skills and conversation games, but did not think about using it for math, we will be playing it this weekend with math in our mind!

zzzzz, thank you as always you are there to offer help and give me ideas about what to do when I am stuck. How is ds doing with home schooling? We have gone the other way and put him into full time mainstream. It has been three weeks now and he is coping well, but we have our ABA therapist working as 1:1 with him.